Having recently completed their first deal in the DStv Premiership, Living the Dream Sports Agency has set its sights on becoming one of Mzansi's leading sports agencies.
Why I am in player management:
Living the Dream is a company based in Sandton that is unearthing raw talent. We look after our clients and the reason why we started this company was that I was playing before and got injured at a young age and I saw the guys who were good and never made it because no one came and said, 'let me help you guys out' In our group, only Lebohang Phiri made it, all of the guys who had so much talent never made it. Then I decided let me go into coaching and after six years at SuperSport Soccer Schools, where I kept producing talents that would be taken by agents and a few years down the line, these players come back to me and they don't have teams. So I decided to start my own company and it's been two years now. We're doing well, we just got our first deal in the PSL with Luciano Van Heerden at Polokwane City. We have a lot of guys that are under the stable now and we have a few overseas contacts.
What I look for in a player:
First of all, before scouting a player, he must be a good human being and in terms of football, he must be a team player, and a people's person. He must have hard work because the talent is the last thing we look for.
A deal that almost happened:
Iyoh! Yanga Baliso is back in the country, we are looking for a team for him. He was supposed to sign for one of two teams in the PSL, unfortunately a deal didn't happen with either of them.
The most difficult transfer:
I think Luciano to Polokwane City because they had to invite him for an assessment but they saw him playing last season. It only took them 20 minutes to see that he is a top player.
Weirdest request from a player/ coach:
You know players haha. You find situations where the girlfriend is pregnant and he wants to take her to the hospital only to find that the person is out there drinking. Or you organize someone a trial with a club and he says he will go there tomorrow while training with another team.
One player I wish I had managed:
Teboho Mokoena because he is my best friend and I've known him since he played in the SAB League. We spend most of our time together and I think he is just a good human being.
Message to aspiring players:
You need to work hard every day, make sacrifices, whether you are at training, playing a friendly match give your best because you never know who is watching. Make sure you greet everyone because you never know where that respect could lead you.
