Former Orlando Pirates Player Admits Playing (And Scoring) While Drunk

• Tales of alcoholic escapades and misadventures are part and parcel of South African football
• Many a current and former player has stories about this scourge and its impact on the sport
• A former Orlando Pirates and Dynamos player has anecdotes about his alcoholic experiences

Former Premier Soccer League football player, Gerald Modabi told an anecdote for the ages.

The ex-Orlando Pirates and Dynamos midfielder added humour to the dark aspects of 'alcohol culture', which affects many current and former players in South Africa and beyond.

In the middle of a discussion on SuperSport's absorbing talk show Sitting With Stan, Robert Marawa asked Modabi if he once played under the influence, to which the ex-player responded:

"Many times before! While at Dynamos, I scored two free kicks against Ajax Cape Town at a packed Giyani Stadium. While I was drunk."

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Modabi explained he dared not approach the referee despite being the target of numerous fouls during the game.

"I was scared they would smell the alcohol on my breath. I was not sure if I would be punished for being drunk by him. All I knew was that I had to behave in a way that would not see me ending up talking to the referee!"

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Mthokozisi Yende disappeared off the face of the local football world, without any explanation or warning.

The talented left-footed midfielder gained attention for his exploits at what was an exciting University of Pretoria team at the end of the 2000s, before Kaizer Chiefs swooped in on him among many prestigious suitors.

Somewhere along the line however, his career slowed down, before it ended abruptly while he still had mileage in his legs. The 38-year-old believes an off-field indiscretion is to blame.

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Ex-Chiefs striker exposes 'alcohol culture'

Former Kaizer Chiefs sharpshooter, Leonardo Castro has said there was a problematic culture of drinking at the club, which still permeates South African football.

The Colombian was one of many players like Daniel Cardoso, Bernard Parker, Lebogang Manyama and Ramahlwe Mphahlele to be shown the door by the Amakhosi in a club overhaul last season.

Cardoso recently claimed some players arrived drunk to practices. Troublesome ex-Chiefs star Dumisani Zuma was suspended toward the end of 2001, after being arrested for drunk driving.