Former Orlando Pirates Keeper Brighton Mhlongo Talks About Alcoholism, Admits to Being Drunk Before Training

• Brighton Mhlongo has recently opened up about the struggles of being a professional footballer and dealing with alcohol
• The former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper admitted that he went to training drunk but never played a game drunk
• Brighton Mhlongo admitted that he and his teammates often drank after games, especially if the result was disappointing

Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper, Brighton Mhlongo, has opened up about life as a player dealing with alcoholism.

Mhlongo was an alcoholic, but has since turned his life around and is now sober.

Mhlongo recently was a guest on MacG’s podcast, where he admitted that local players have a drinking problem, The South African reported.

During the podcast, Mhlongo confessed that he and a few teammates would often drink, especially after games in which they had a disappointing result. He added that the pressures of being a professional footballer led many to the bottle.

He also opened up about going to training drunk after a sleepless night.

Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi says the team was given hairdryer treatment during Royal Leopards tie

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“With us, once or twice you would go to training sloshed.”

The murder of Senzo Meyiwa also caused severe depression in the team, leading to many using alcohol as a way of coping with the tragedy.

Mhlongo spent six years at the Buccaneers and left the club in 2017. In 2021 his career sadly came to an end due to an eye injury, KickOff reported.

Mhlongo was hit by a ball in the face, an accident that left him partially blind. After visiting a specialist, he was advised to retire sooner rather than later, News24 confirmed.

Mandla Ncikazi concedes title race is over, says Mamelodi Sundowns have the trophy in their cabinet already

In other news related to the Buccaneers, Orlando Pirates coach Mandla Ncikazi has conceded that Mamelodi Sundowns have wrapped up the 2021/2022 DStv Premiership title, Sports Brief earlier reported.

Soweto Derby: Will Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter continue his great record against Orlando Pirates?

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Sundowns are now 19 points ahead of Orlando Pirates, with the Buccaneers sitting in fourth place. Sundowns are also 18 points ahead of the second-placed Royal AM and are well on their way to winning a sixth consecutive title.

Pirates are level on points with Kaizer Chiefs but have played three more games than their Soweto rivals. The bitter rivals will next face each other this Saturday in the Soweto Derby at the Orlando Stadium.