This week the Siya crew caught up with with FIFA and SAFA accredited player agent, Ben Kokela.
In this week's edition of Soccer Laduma, issue 927, we invited you, our readers, to log onto the Soccer Laduma Supporters Club, where you can read an exclusive interview with Kokela.
The Siya crew's Masebe Qina's got in touch with the accredited football agent. Hope you enjoy the read. Cheers... Eddie.
Masebe Qina: Hi Ben, to begin this interview we would like you to introduce yourself and your company to the Soccer Laduma readers.
Ben Kokela: It's a pleasure my brother. Amagama ephelele ngu (The full names are) Ben Kokela. I am a SAFA and FIFA accredited player agent. I do the business as such - Ben Kokela SAFA/FIFA accredited players agent - and I'm based in Bloemfontein. I'm in the business of managing soccer players and to intervene with clubs where necessary, as per the FIFA regulations.
MQ: Good! How did you get into the football industry and is it working with footballers and football clubs?
BK: Players from places such as the Free State, Eastern Cape and the Northern Cape are not getting the necessary exposure and right guidance, and I identified a need for it. Another reason I got involved was after seeing players struggle. For example, that thing of having to see an SMS line for contributions every time a footballer had passed away. I wanted to get involved so that I could help the players I manage on how to manage their finances.
MQ: Yes, there is a need for that.
BK: For example, when you take a young footballer from the dusty streets of a township and ask him, "What do you want to achieve from football?" He will tell you that he wants to play for the big three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns). But, if you ask a young rugby player the same question, he will tell you that he wants to play for the Springboks. There is the difference right there. We need to teach the youngsters that they need to aim high. If (Benni) McCarthy and the other players played overseas, so can a youngster from the Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and the Free State. The players from these areas seldom get opportunities. We need to make them understand that one can be a good soccer player, but it can take him five years to find a team in the professional ranks.
MQ: Which players have you worked with?
BK: I won't even talk about the ones that left me after they made it in the PSL, after working with them from the beginning. I decided to focus on the players from the NFD and the ABC Motsepe League. That's how I operate, because I have learnt that in order to do well in life I don't need to skip any stages. Back to your question, former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, Dominic Mateba, is one of the players I work with. He has scored 11 goals this season. He is not a striker, but an attacking midfielder. He is playing for Roses United in the ABC Motsepe League and they have qualified for the play-offs that could enable them to play in the NFD.
MQ: We'll talk about Mateba again later on. Please tell us about the other players you manage.
BK: I've got Wandisile Tshomelane, a right back, and there's Vusumzi Gcantsane, a right winger. All three of them are focused on helping Roses gain promotion. Besides them, I've got a striker that is currently with Tornado FC in the Eastern Cape. His name is Thamsanqa Moni. He scored 34 goals in the league this season. He scored eight goals in the qualifying stages of the Nedbank Cup. He will be heading for a trial to African Warriors in Qwaqwa on the 26th of this month (June).
MQ: We wish him everything of the best.
BK: A bright prospect in my camp is 18-year-old striker, Tyrone Mondi. He has returned from Bolton Wanderers (in England) following his 12-month scholarship. He had to return because he didn't have national team caps in order to get a work visa. The good news is that African Warriors are keen to assess him, but on June 29 Feyenoord from Holland will be assessing him.
MQ: We wish him well.
BK: I also work with Coach Morena Ramorebodi, previously with Maluti FET College. He's now with African Warriors and helped them out of the relegation zone last season. We have received calls from two teams showing interest in him, but he has told me that he would like to ply his trade in the Free State for now. He wants to be there for those young boys who don't get the opportunities. That doesn't mean he won't consider the offers from outside the Free State.
MQ: Let's get back to Mateba. It's good to see that the player is still going strong and scoring goals for Roses. Knowing Roses and their association with Bloemfontein Celtic, is there a possibility that he will join them in the PSL?
BK: He wants to play in the PSL again and he does fit the set-up at Celtic. But as to whether he will eventually play there or not, I think Roses and Celtic are in a better position to say that. I have spoken to him and we have agreed that he needs to play in the PSL. He was still very young when he got his break in the PSL (at Chiefs).
MQ: It it a concern for him that since he left Chiefs, he has struggled to return to the PSL?
BK: He wants to play in the PSL and he is prepared to wait for his opportunity. He says he would like to play in the PSL soon – anytime from now. I agree with him. At the same time, he doesn't mind to wait. We believe in the saying that everything has it's time. The boy is pushing very hard to there.
MQ: Let's talk about SAFA's proposed 3% commission for the agents. How is it going to affect you and your business?
BK: Mhlekazi (Sir), the matter is heading to the High Court so I don't really want to discuss that in details. Imagine I'm sitting in Bloemfontein and there is a club wanting my player in Cape Town. Let's say that club wants him for R120 000 per annum. Now if I accept the 3%, it means that paying for the flight from Bloemfontein to Cape Town and the accommodation will have to come out of that. How do you motivate yourself as an agent knowing that Mr Masebe, for example, is getting R120 000 per annum, while you only get R5000 as a once off. It's really not fair. We are only in the business to help the kids that can't help themselves to get the opportunities. There are a lot of things involved. You make numerous phone calls, drive to clubs and all of that, before the player goes there for a trial. You make arrangements to go and watch these players play. By the time you book him a flight you have already spent a lot.
MQ: Ben, it's been a pleasure talking to you. Thank you.
BK: Thanks to you Mhlekakazi (Sir) for giving me the opportunity. Kuzolunga mhlekazi (All we will be well, sir).
