‘I was recommended by Wenger’
KICK OFF: KG, it’s been a while since we last spoke to you. What have you been up to since retiring from football?
Katlego Mphela: I’ve been very busy with my foundation and youth sports development here in Tshwane. The [Katlego Mphela] foundation is football related and our focus is special training. Parents bring their children and we develop them in the right manner through coaching clinics. We are trying to link them up with professional clubs, but COVID-19 brought everything to a standstill. In terms of funding and sponsors, we are still looking. We are also working with the local municipality. We are starting here in Pretoria North and after we get a sponsor, we want to expand.
Do you miss playing football?
Yes I do. When football is a part of you and you’ve been playing the sport for your entire life, when you stop you will certainly miss it. But at the same time, I must make peace with the fact that I can’t play the game forever, there comes a time when you have to stop. But I do miss the game.
How can you sum up your career?
You can never be satisfied with your achievements, at certain moments I could have done better or pushed a little bit more. I could have done better than what I have achieved but I also need to be grateful. It’s the path that I was meant to
