In this week's edition of Where Are They Now, KickOff catches up with former Lamontville Golden Arrows and Santos player Jainudeen Lakay about his life after football.
The retired 46-year-old former midfielder holds nothing back in this tell-all interview.
Who is Jainudeen Lakay?
"I'm from Ocean View in Cape Town. I'm happy with the way my football career turned out, all the shukr [gratitude] to the Creator."
Happy with your playing days?
"Most definitely, I'm happy it was something I loved doing every day."
Did you make money from soccer?
"No, because some people thought of it as them doing me a favour by having me in their team.
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"You see, because I'm a laaitie from the ghetto, no father, no uncles who are gangsters, I didn't deserve to be in a position where I can tell those with the money, You're not my Creator, only a means used by my Creator', of which they did not like."
Where are you living?
"I'm back in my hometown, and want to make it one community. We can get a PSL status here, that's how much raw talent we have here.
"But the egos of certain people are preventing that from happening at this moment in time.
"I'm talking about club owners of the teams in Ocean View. All the kids know each other, yet they must fight against each other for the same thing, which I think it's so stupid because they should be taught to fight together.
"How can you fight your own body but in your mind, you think of letting your body grow?"
Jobs since playing the game?
"I've worked in engineering with my uncle, Adanaan Hendricks, for a long time while still playing SAB, as well as landscaping."
Your current job?
"I'm currently unemployed living off some investments at this point. But enjoying every minute of life now. I'm also helping a team, Southend FC, to get promoted to the next level and I think they're coming along nicely because we are not always a full team due to work and personal commitments from some players."
If you could do it again?
"Be more disciplined and start earlier on building my endurance level. I always thought I was 'lit' until I had to up my level from 70% to above 80% of my speed just to enjoy every game, no matter the opponent.
"And I would not come to Santos. I think that's my only real regret in my soccer career, even though I still gave them good seasons.
"I made history being the player to score the fastest Golden Goal in 28 seconds. After that, that rule was taken out of football, and the teams had to play that full 30 minutes of extra time. I was part of the team to win the COSAFA Cup for the first time in how many years? Again, part of history.
So, I'm more than happy how my soccer career turned out.
"Since after the first sign-on fee that was missed by Mr Goolam Alie, I was fighting every day for my money. When Roger De Sa came to Santos, I was still fighting. He even had to leave me out of some games because I was telling the boss things he did not want to hear.
"That's why I would not make that decision to come to Cape Town if I could do it over again.
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"I want to start my coaching academy here, but funds to get equipment... eish, bro. Hard!
"My family is all in football, the eldest to the youngest and a grandchild. I'm married for 22 years, Alhumdulilaah, and I'm as happy as can be. Like I said, enjoying every minute of every day with all of them and the Creator leading the way. Ah, mf'wethu, you know that kind of happy."