Former Kaizer Chiefs Goalkeeper Emile Baron Talks About Selling Empty Bottles to Survive

• Until recently, former professional goalkeeper Emile Baron was suffering in silence like many South Africans today
• The ex-Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs keeper fell on hard economic times following the end of his football career
• Baron's plight saw proverbial manna from heaven come his way, which led to him opening up on his recent struggles

The local footballing fraternity at large was unaware of what Emile Baron had been going through, nor were they even aware of where he was.

The former goalkeeper's career was cut short following an injury he suffered in the colours of Bidvest Wits in 2013.

It emerged recently that he had fallen on hard times economically, including having to sell empty bottles to get by.

According to Kaya 959, Baron said to Norwegian television station, TV2:

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Athletics

“I went into a deep depression. I wasn’t able to do anything, so I just stayed at home. I isolated myself from the world. I couldn’t get a job because of the injury, so I started to lose everything. If I had got the insurance, I could have started a business with the money. At least then I would have had an income. I could invest and manage."

The former goalkeeper mentioned the struggles many face finding work in South Africa.

“I never finished school so I’m not qualified to do anything. And during the pandemic, many went bankrupt.  I feel weak. Physically I am weak, mentally I am weak, spiritually I am weak.”

Once the former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs shot-stopper's plight went public, his guardian angels stepped in to help.

Goal reported that supporters of Lillestrom, where Baron was a player from 1999 until 2005, stepped in to help with a fundraising drive.

Norway's Lillestrom SK fans raise millions for struggling former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Emile Baron

Football

This resulted in the Norwegians raising around R2 million to help the 43-year-old get back on his feet.

Mokwena discusses footballers' vices

Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported on how Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Rulani Mokwena opened up about seeing local footballers struggling with off-field issues during their playing careers.

The Brazilians' tactician focused specifically on the culture of drinking plaguing South African football, with players at the club having got into trouble for allegedly arriving at practice while intoxicated.