Retired Congolese defender Dikilu Bageta has detailed how he has now ended up as a kit manager for the Congolese national team.
Bageta's time in South Africa started with Ajax Cape Town in 2003 when he joined along with fellow Congolese players Tshinyama Tsholola, Kanku Mulekelayi, and Cyrille Mubiala.
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After two spells there, he then moved to Maritzburg United, before calling it quits in 2011 aged 33 after a season at Free Stars having made over 160 appearances at all three clubs.
"After Free State, I then went back to Congo but didn't play because they were offering little money," says Bageta.
"The trouble in Congo is that when you have played outside the country, people always assume you have a lot of money to give them, yet you have your family to take care of.
"There was an expectation that I must give my teammates transport money, so I just decided to stay away.
"After about two years of being undecided about playing, the president of the Federation offered me a job as a team manager for the national team and I started out at the 2014 CHAN finals in South Africa.
"Then, since 2021, I have been working as the kit manager, though I also have interests in scouting and representing players.
"Football is all I have ever known after all," says Bageta, while then disclosing where he earned the best money.
"Maritzburg paid me the best money.
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"Okay, the best contract was at Free State, but what made it sweeter at Maritzburg were the bonuses once you satisfy the conditions, which meant more money.
"I don't want to mention figures, but Ajax paid the least of the three clubs," he explains.