OPINION: Young players must value game time over short term financial gains

In modern football, money talks louder than ever. No one can entirely fault players for chasing lucrative contracts—even if it means sacrificing career progress.

After all, football is a short career, and the fear of injury or loss of form makes grabbing the bag tempting. Yet, players and their management must weigh what they stand to lose when those fat paycheques come with a seat on the bench. A career without progress is a career cut short.

Maffious Chihweta’s move to Scottland as a teenager is a prime example. Once a key player at Highlanders, he now finds himself warming the bench more often than not since joining in July 2025. His confidence, once soaring, must be plummeting.

Worse still, Scottland isn’t even blowing away opponents—meaning his absence isn’t justified by team dominance. A good dribbler and constant goal threat who had the potential to be a national team player, this transfer could be doing more harm than good.

Godfrey Makaruse’s career has all but vanished after leaving Highlanders for Scottland in 2025. Lynoth Chikuhwa is still trying to rebuild at Chicken Inn after a disastrous spell there.

These are cautionary tales of players who chased contracts but lost careers.

Contrast this with Emmanuel Jalai, who stayed at Dynamos, negotiated a better deal, and remained a key player. His consistent game time not only cemented his national team spot but also earned him a move to Durban City in South Africa’s premiership. His story proves that sometimes it’s not about where you are, but what you are doing.

Training with top talents like Khama Billiat and the Musona brothers (Knowledge and Walter) is valuable, but it’s not enough. Regular game time is gold.

That’s why European giants loan out promising academy players—they know development stalls on the fringes of match day squads. Sitting on the bench for long stretches destroys confidence, rhythm, and national team prospects.

Chihweta, for instance, might have thrived at a smaller club like Hunters, where game time was almost guaranteed. Instead, he risks fading into obscurity while new arrivals like Mongameli seize national team opportunities.

Transfers must be evaluated beyond immediate financial gain. Management should weigh career trajectory, national team chances, and long-term financial stability.

A one-time contract that derails years of potential is not progress—it’s regression.

Brazilian Oscar’s move to China and the recent Saudi Arabia influx show that even global stars sacrifice career milestones for money. But for young players still building reputations, the opportunity cost is far greater. Without progress, the money dries up quickly.

Careers stall when the lure of cash outweighs the need for growth. Chihweta is a talent who deserves more minutes, and if he has improved even slightly since Highlanders, he could be a cornerstone at Scottland. The tragedy is that his potential risks being wasted on the bench.

Players cannot be faulted for chasing money—it’s survival. But survival without progress is short-lived. A career is worth more than a one-time contract. Proper management, honest evaluation of opportunity cost, and prioritising game time are essential.

Money follows progress. Without progress, even the fattest paycheque is just a temporary illusion that fades sooner rather than later.