Lerato Chabangu: Former Bafana Bafana Player Opens Up About Tough Times After Retirement

• Lerato 'Ace' Chabangu has opened up about his life post-retirement
• The former Bafana Bafana midfielder has gone through lots of hardship
• He admits having faced financial struggles and separating from his wife

Lerato 'Ace' Chabangu, former star midfielder for Bafana Bafana, Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United and Moroka Swallows, recently shared candidly about the challenges he faces since retiring from professional football.

Speaking in an interview, Chabangu revealed the hardships he has encountered, including a loss of income and assets, leading to scrutiny from his community.

He expressed the extent of his difficulties, mentioning his mother's lack of a home, his brother's disappearance and uncertainty about the whereabouts of his children

"There are a lot of things that I have lost. I bought my mom a house and I have lost it, I have lost everything. I don’t even have soccer boots now, I don’t have clothes that you can say will remind me of the past. I only have trophies but I have lost a lot. People can judge me, but I am still going on. I don’t have income, but I hustle." Chabangu is quoted on Times Live.

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These challenges, he indicates have made him a subject of ridicule in his community.

Despite the tough circumstances, Chabangu remains resilient, acknowledging the lessons learned from the struggles. He emphasized the universal nature of life's challenges and the difficulty of adjusting to a sudden loss of income.

Chabangu acknowledged the expectations from his family for financial support, but with limited income, disappointment has set in. He noted the contrast with the past when the Chabangu name enjoyed a high reputation.

This recent revelation echoes Chabangu's previous struggles, as he had detailed financial difficulties and personal issues in an interview with the Sowetan several years ago. During that time, he admitted to making mistakes, facing financial struggles, and being separated from his wife and daughter due to the challenges.

"I have made many mistakes in my life and I feel I have learned my lessons. Things are tough and I am not the kind of person who likes to beg. I have nothing left. Football is all I know and I hope there's someone out there who can give me another chance," he tells PrimeSportsWithMahlatse.

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Now, Lerato Chabangu hopes for another chance, expressing his desire for someone to provide an opportunity in the realm of football. The former midfielder has faced adversity but remains hopeful for a brighter future.

Bafana Bafana squad

Sports Brief previously reported South Africans were unhappy with the Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos after announcing his 50-man preliminary squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.

The competition is slated to kick off next year on January 13, with Bafana Bafana's opening game being against Mali on January 16 before facing Namibia and Tunisia on January 21 and 24 respectively.

The Belgian manager included some of the finest players in the Premier Soccer League in his preliminary squad and also Bafana Bafana players abroad.