Johannesburg - South African international skipper Aaron Mokoena continues to prove that he is more than just a top-class professional footballer and leader of men.
Mokoena has been a dignified captain of South Africa and his club team Portsmouth, making us all proud with his commitment and never-say-die attitude.
Recently the 29-year-old from Boipatong became the first footballer ever to be awarded the Freedom of the City of London for his services to football and charitable work through the Aaron Mokoena Foundation.
And he has now become even more of a role-model by signing up for a three-year university degree in Sports Business Management.
"I left South Africa when I was 17 to pursue a career in football, but I've always wanted to finish my studies," Mokoena said, according to www.portsmouth.co.uk.
"It's never too late to learn. It won't be easy balancing training with studies, but when there's a will there's a way."
Mokoena claims that he is not interested in a career in football management when he hangs up his boots, but acknowledges that by studying he will open up a world of opportunities.
"I would like to be able to move into business and know how to manage finances and teams, but at the moment there are no concrete plans," he said.
"I've achieved a lot as a footballer and I've made a lot of money, but winning the Freedom of the City of London is a new chapter for me.
"Through my Foundation I'm always telling young children that education is the future and now I am practising what I preach - I want to be a good role model to them."
Mokoena has been a dignified captain of South Africa and his club team Portsmouth, making us all proud with his commitment and never-say-die attitude.
Recently the 29-year-old from Boipatong became the first footballer ever to be awarded the Freedom of the City of London for his services to football and charitable work through the Aaron Mokoena Foundation.
And he has now become even more of a role-model by signing up for a three-year university degree in Sports Business Management.
"I left South Africa when I was 17 to pursue a career in football, but I've always wanted to finish my studies," Mokoena said, according to www.portsmouth.co.uk.
"It's never too late to learn. It won't be easy balancing training with studies, but when there's a will there's a way."
Mokoena claims that he is not interested in a career in football management when he hangs up his boots, but acknowledges that by studying he will open up a world of opportunities.
"I would like to be able to move into business and know how to manage finances and teams, but at the moment there are no concrete plans," he said.
"I've achieved a lot as a footballer and I've made a lot of money, but winning the Freedom of the City of London is a new chapter for me.
"Through my Foundation I'm always telling young children that education is the future and now I am practising what I preach - I want to be a good role model to them."