'My first salary was R8 000!': Chiefs legend Khumalo offers financial advice to SA soccer players

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Doctor Khumalo has revealed that he earned R8 000 after inking his first deal with the Soweto giants in 1984.

In a conversation with the Nedbank Reality Football, 16-valve, as he was affectionately dubbed, says that playing the beautiful game was not all about the money.

"My first salary was R8 000, I was still in high school. I thought my life was going to change," said Khumalo, who also donned the Bafana Bafana jersey on 50 occasions.

"I was waiting for the first cheque; I woke up and was told we are going somewhere. We went to a bank in Dube [in Soweto], and my father had to sign for me, although it was my [bank] account.

"Overall, out of a 100%, it was not all about money; 99% was passion, we really wanted to be there."

Khumalo admits that he received wise advice from Chiefs founder and chairman Kaizer Motaung during his playing days regarding finances, how important it is to invest your money and make smart moves.

"My first car was not from my first salary - it came years after I started playing. I didn't want to be greedy with the advice I was given, we received the information, captured it and it is our turn to share it with the upcoming youth," the Amakhosi legend said.

"This game is not about you deciding that you will play 20 years. You can be disciplined, but if the unexpected happens you could get a [serious] injury and the next thing you only have the car, which will lose value.

"Investing is the greatest way of living because [it means] you are wise, and you will not be in need because life gives you peer pressure."

Khumalo went on to win multiple titles with Amakhosi and after retiring, formed part of the club’s technical team.

He also confessed that he nearly inked a deal with