Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Steve Komphela’s special message for Wiseman Meyiwa

Golden Arrows coach Steve Komphela has stressed the importance of education following news that Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Wiseman Meyiwa was forced into retirement at the age of 19.

The former Amakhosi boss is credited for promoting the nippy midfielder to the Chiefs’ senior team during his tenure at the club and has expressed shock regarding the news that the South Africa junior international will not play football again.

“I am very shocked after getting such news and we have spoken to the players about what has happened. We have to ask ourselves what kind of a lesson we are getting from this,” Komphela told Isolezwe.

The former Chiefs midfielder was involved in a horrific car accident last year on his way to Pietermaritzburg from Johannesburg. 

However, the Soweto giants announced last week that Meyiwa has been forced to retire as he finds himself wheelchair-bound.

“Our lives can change with a blink of an eye. If God gives you an opportunity to live and decides to deny you a chance to succeed in football, then look at other talents you can use so that you can be successful – and that is why education is very important,” he added.

“I am very fortunate because I managed to go to school more than playing football. That helps even on how you look at life in general,” said the Arrows mentor.

The outspoken mentor maintains that Meyiwa still has a chance to continue on with his life and become successful because the door to educate himself is now open.

“My advice to Wiseman is that things could have been worse because some people are not able to use all their limbs or body parts,” continued the former Chiefs skipper.

“But God said He will show that He cares by using him that he can still get an education and succeed. Now that the football career is closed, he must open the one in education. He will succeed because he will get the necessary support,” he added.

“I know what a diploma or a degree can do or give you. If you are educated, you will have a different perspective on many things and it also gives you a voice,” concluded Komphela.