Former Bafana Bafana star Lerato Chabangu opens up about rehabilitation journey after years of alcohol addiction

Former Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns star Lerato Chabangu has shed light on his journey in rehab, where he is currently getting his life back on track after many years struggling with addiction.

The 39-year-old is currently at the Hope of Achievers Rehabilitation Centre in Limpopo, where he checked in last month, and has been making some pleasing progress.

“The day that I came here, the lady that I was dating passed away. She was buried on that very same Saturday morning [I came here]. So a lot was going on that day. I also did not know what was going on. I was miserable,” the former footballer, who also played for Moroka Swallows, said as per FARPost.

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Speaking about the progress he has been making, Chabangu said: “Day-by-day, the spirit goes high every time. So I will see when I come out of here what to do.

"But I appreciate the support and encouragement by people following me wherever I go. They must keep it up and it’s not only me. There are others as well. So they must keep it up , encouraging and supporting them. Without them, we are nothing.”

Chabangu had a long football career, playing for the biggest clubs in the country and won numerous honours. Ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Chabangu was considered a shoo-in for selection for Bafana Bafana, but an untimely injury saw him miss out on the tournament.

In the years that followed, Chabangu opened up about how missing out on selection for that tournament led him down a dark path where the only thing that could make him feel better was alcohol.

After his career ended without fanfare in 2018, his life spiralled out of control due to his addiction to alcohol, and he ended up losing all of his possessions after some bad decisions.

IOL Sport