Newly appointed FIFPro Global Player Council member, Terrence Mashego, has identified the single most difficult challenge a footballer can face as he reflects on the impact he aims to make in his new role.
The Bafana Bafana left-back, along with former Banyana Banyana star Jermaine Seoposenwe, are the first footballers from South Africa to be chosen for the FIFPRO Council for the 2025/2027 term.
Their selection followed the relaunch of the Council, formed in 2019, which now comprises 37 male and female footballers from around the world. The Council, which also includes Zimbabwe national team captain Marshall Munetsi, aims to give players a stronger voice in shaping the future of the game.
Mashego believes this development will equip him with valuable management and leadership skills that he may utilise when he eventually retires from professional football. Through SAFPU, Mashego — who is currently on loan at Durban City from Mamelodi Sundowns — was able to obtain a Sports Management qualification.
“This is a massive thing for me; it’ll help me develop not just as a player but also as a person, developing administration and leadership skills. The responsibility is to make sure that the issues South African footballers face are captured globally,” Mashego told FARPost.
Among the issues he is eager to address are the abuse of footballers by the media and the issue of sports taxes. He believes the tax issue has been discussed extensively, but no concrete actions have been taken yet.
WHAT MASHEGO CONSIDERS THE MOST DIFFICULT CHALLENGE IN THE LIFE OF A FOOTBALLER
“This is a chance to raise the sports tax issue on a global platform. The recent statement by SAFPU indicates there is a problem with abuse [of footballers] by the media. Sometimes it extends beyond simple banter. We need to find ways to prepare players mentally and equip them accordingly. How do you handle such situations as a player?”
He pointed out that mental health was another serious matter that needed to be tackled. “We need to prepare players for the rainy day. When you lose a contract, how do you handle the situation? How do you also handle your finances? I believe those are important things to tackle because they’re directly linked to the mental health of footballers,” he said.
He added that the toughest challenge for any footballer is when you find yourself sidelined. “You find yourself not playing. Here’s something you love, but you don’t get the opportunity to do it. If you’re not playing, whether the money is there or not, you’re not happy. It’ll lead to stress and mental health issues,” explained Mashego.
The 29-year-old defender, who has started four games across all competitions for Durban City, believes footballers often stigmatise player unions. The Mamelodi-born star, who has been a member of SAFPU for over eight years, emphasises that footballers should not be afraid to join unions.
“Many footballers believe joining a union is seen as a fight against their teams. No, it’s not. There’s much more that footballers can gain from unions. It’s where you learn about not just your rights, but also your responsibilities. SAFPU helped me acquire my Sports Management qualification.”
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