Lekoelea happy to continue his involvement in football
Former Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows midfielder Steve Lekoelea says his life hasn't changed much since he stopped playing football.
Although Lekoelea was coy about how he earns a living, he says he made sure his current lifestyle resembles the one he used to have.
He says it would be difficult for him to work at a factory or in an office set up like most people because he has never done anything but play football from an early age.
Making his professional debut at the age of 15 for Moroka Swallows in 1994, Lekoelea rose to fame and joined Pirates the next year, where he became one of the country’s biggest stars.
“If you met me today you would think I still play football, I wake up and go to the training ground to join a group of guys like I used to. What I can tell you is that it is important for you as a player to know that after football you need to have a life. Take money and start a business. You can save but business is important. It would be difficult for me to get a job at an office or firm as I am not used to it. That is why I make sure football is still a big part of my life.”
Lekoelea’s last team was ABC Motsepe League side Vaal Professionals, whose home ground is just a few kilometres away from the township he grew up in. He came out of retirement before to play in the lower league and could do it again in the New Year.
“I stopped playing for Vaal Professionals, but I would like to work with them again. And it could happen soon because they called me a while back asking to meet, so I could possibly work with them in some capacity soon. We will meet and talk. Yes, I would be happy to work with them again. I was busy with a few things last year and this year but that is done now, so I will talk to them,” said Lekoelea.
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Like most retired players, Lekoelea is keen to guide young players that could some day find themselves playing in the lucrative Absa Premiership for teams that the Sebokeng-born midfield maestro has played for in the past. The 38-year-old works with a youth team in Sebokeng Zone 12 as a coach.
“I do development work in the township. I work with the Under-15s up to the Under-19 squad of a team called Ajax in Zone 12, and they usually play on weekends in our area. With December coming up and schools closing they will play in Kgogi’s annual tournament in Evaton. They have coaches they work with and I am there to talk to them, to motivate them and teach them certain things about football,” he said.
Lekoelea is also delighted with Pirates’ form this season under coach Micho Sredojevic, however he still questions the commitment of the players to paying back the supporters for their loyalty to the team. He laid into the current generation of footballers in the Premiership about their lack of “respect” for the game.
Lekoelea understands that being talented and playing for a big club comes with a lot of pressure, expectations and attention from the media and supporters. He says it is wise to focus on what got a player to the stage they are at in their life.
“I get upset when I watch football these days. When you play for Pirates or Chiefs, you know teams come prepared and they really want to win. So you also need to be prepared. I was focused, I was very serious and that is why I gave good performances, and I knew I played for a big club and that I had to treat each game like it was my first.
“At times I feel some players were lucky to get in. But they need to pay attention to getting the basics right, then that will help them play better. The players around me, like Benedict Vilakazi, used to help me stay focused.”
