.png "Former Soccer Star Lerato Chabangu Opens Up About Losing Everything Post-Retirement")
Lerato 'Ace' Chabangu, once a renowned midfielder for Bafana
Bafana, Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United, and Moroka Swallows, revealed his
struggles after retiring from soccer. Speaking on the YouTube channel
PrimeSportsWithMahlatse, Chabangu shared the harsh reality of his current
situation, where he faces financial difficulties and has lost nearly
everything.
"I've lost a lot," he confessed. "I used to
own a house for my mom, but it's gone now. I don't even have my soccer gear or
clothes that remind me of my playing days. All I have left are trophies, but
everything else is gone."
With no steady income to support his family, Chabangu
expressed his hardships, stating, "I hustle every day, but it's tough. My
mom doesn't have a place to live, I've lost contact with my brother, and I
don't even know where my kids are. It's heartbreaking."
The former star athlete admitted to feeling the weight of
judgment from his community, becoming a subject of mockery. "I'm seen as a
joke in my community," he said. "It's a challenging situation, but
I'm grateful to be alive and learning from this experience."
Chabangu highlighted the sudden shift from a life of stable
income to struggling to make ends meet. "When you're used to earning and
then suddenly there's nothing, it's hard. My family expected me to provide, but
the reality is different now," he explained.
He concluded by acknowledging the disappointment his family
feels and the dent in his once prestigious reputation. "The Chabangu name
used to mean something, but now, I'm a laughingstock," he lamented.
Chabangu's candid revelation sheds light on the often unseen
struggles of retired athletes, urging for empathy and understanding amid
challenging times.
Source: TimesLIVE
