Former Bafana Bafana attacker Lerato Chabangu has opened up on his rehabilitation experience, urging the football fraternity to keep supporting others like him – facing similar life challenges.
Chabangu recently checked in at Hope of Achievers Rehabilitation Centre in Limpopo after battling with alcohol addiction.
This is not the first time that the former Mamelodi Sundowns star enters a rehab centre. More recently, the 39-year-old checked in at the Tranquillity Rehab centre in Randburg for a month and a half.
Chabangu has openly spoken about his personal struggles after the abrupt end of his football career. He had a chat with this publication at the centre at Ga-Mothapo outside Polokwane about how the life-changing process has been.
HOW FORMER MAMELODI SUNDOWNS STAR HAS ADAPTED TO HIS REHABILITATION PROCESS
“I have settled very well. It’s unlike the first time I came here as I was dizzy and all that,” Chabangu told FARPost.
“Have you seen when you are shocked about something and also about changing environments? Not knowing where you are going and what to do. There were a lot of faces and things that I had to face. So there was pressure for me.
“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,” he added.
LERATO CHABANGU GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT AND LOVE SHOWN BY THE FOOTBALL FRATERNITY
Chabangu has expressed profound gratitude for the overwhelming support and love he’s received from the football fraternity during his rehabilitation journey.
He acknowledges the crucial role this backing has played in his recovery, emphasising that the outpouring of goodwill has been a significant source of strength. Chabangu also hopes his experience will encourage others facing similar challenges, highlighting the importance of community and solidarity within the sport.
“So I lost a bit of weight because I was not okay. Someone came up with an idea to say let me take him to get help. So I have been taking it day by day, seeing what is happening. But I can see the change; that’s why I believe I needed this because there are changes,” revealed Chabangu, who had just dropped a call from a close family member before the interview.
“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.”
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