Invest soccer proceeds wisely – Jairos Tapera

Noel Munzabwa

FORMER FC Platinum coachAï¿½ Jairos Tapera has urged players and coaches to invest the little financial proceeds that come their way.

During a brief interview over lunch at Mbabaneaï¿½ï¿½s Gallitos flanked by his assistant coach Malose Sello Chokoe, Tapera urged players and coaches to make hay while the sun shines given the high uncertainty in their chosen fields.

aï¿½?I have been in the game for more than 30 years and I have seen the risks and uncertainty a soccer career carries both as a player and as a coach and the biggest lesson I have learnt is to make the best outAï¿½ of earnings with the future in mind.

aï¿½?My last job at FC Platinum proved to be my turning point. With what I got from that job I managed to build four houses aï¿½ï¿½ one in Zvishavane and three in Kwekwe.

aï¿½?As I speak two of my children are at university while the other one is doing Form 3 at a boarding school, aï¿½? he said.

While describing the FC Platinum job as his best ever, Tapera, who got his work permit on Wednesday said he was ready for his first ever assignment beyond Zimbabweaï¿½ï¿½s borders.

aï¿½?I am still going through the acclimatisation process and ready to learn but what I can say is the Black Leopards soccer project is much more advanced as compared to most Zimbabwean soccer projects.

aï¿½?This has real football structure and with God on my side I believe I will prevail. I am ready and things are beginning to take shape especially with our tour of Swaziland. Take nothing away from this country, the Aerobics Gym at Matsapha Correction is top class.

aï¿½?I have had an opportunity to take part in the aerobics sessions the trainers there know their stuff and I sincerely hope and urge Swazi football clubs to utilise the facility for the betterment of soccer players physical fitness,aï¿½? said Tapera.

He said the exercises helped him trim a tummy he had developed after years of downing the green bottles of his then favourite Pilsener which he quit at the end of 2014.

Taperaaï¿½ï¿½s Leopards are on a month long tour of Swaziland and were due to play their first practice matches on Wednesday before engaging Moneni Pirates and Manzini Sundowns at Manzini Club on Saturday and Mbabane Highlanders on the 30th of July.

Black Leopards will then head back to Polokwane ahead of a four-team charity tournament which will feature Kaizer Chiefs, Baroka FC and Platinum Stars set for August 6.