Pitso Mosimane advised the current crop of Orlando Pirates players that the love of the game should outweigh the need for money.
“You are not playing football for the sake of playing football. This is more than the money,” said Mosimane.
A multi-purpose sports court facility at Lofentse Girls High School in Orlando East, Soweto, is named the Al Wahda coach.
During his emotional speech ahead of the Pitso Mosimane sports court handover, he said Pirates players need to look at football with a different perspective if they are to achieve more from the game.
“I want to say to Orlando Pirates football players, I was wearing the jersey you are wearing. I come from this township, and I made my debut in the PSL in the stadium [Orlando Stadium] where you play,” Mosimane said.
“There are endless opportunities that I never thought playing football would ever give me such as sitting at a table with Ministers, MEC’s, the Premier [Panyaza Lesufi] and addressing people because of football.
“Sports changes lives and I don’t know where my life would be if I didn’t follow football. Life would have been different and here I am today.
“So, it’s the choices you make; you decide what you do, and lay on the bed that you make.
“You can’t just expect favours and I hope that you understand that you’re not playing football for the sake of playing football.
“This is more than the money because the money we have we spend. This [having a sports facility named after him] is another level – it’s priceless,” he said.
The 59-year-old coach, nicknamed “Jingles”, is the most successful South African coach and is ranked among the greatest coaches to ever do it on the African continent.
He has attained major domestic and continental honours with Mamelodi Sundowns, Egyptian giants Al Ahly and recently Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli – making him one of the most respected coaches globally.
Mosimane is currently in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is not short of mastery to lead Al Wahda back to their glory days come end of the season.
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