Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana midfielder Lerato Chabangu once faced a deeply personal struggle that almost cost him his life.
His former coach, Gordon Igesund, recently opened up about an incident in the early 2000s when Chabangu attempted to take his own life.
Igesund, who coached Chabangu at Sundowns, Moroka Swallows, and the national team, played a crucial role in reviving the midfielder’s career in the early 2010s.
During his time at Swallows, Chabangu flourished under Igesund’s guidance, helping the club finish as runners-up in the Betway Premiership.
However, before that success, the talented footballer faced a dark moment that Igesund recalled during an interview.
The Incident That Shook Igesund
According to Igesund, the incident took place when the team was preparing for an away game in Polokwane.
The squad was scheduled to leave at 1:00 PM, but Chabangu failed to show up on time.
The team waited for him for about half an hour before he finally arrived.
While he appeared sober and composed, his tardiness was enough for Igesund to take disciplinary action.
“I told him, ‘Lerato, we’ve waited for you, and you didn’t show up on time. You’re not coming with us today.
Go home, sort yourself out, and we’ll talk on Monday,’” Igesund shared during the SoccerBeat podcast.
However, what happened next left Igesund deeply shaken. While the team was en route to their destination, the club doctor called him with alarming news—Chabangu had attempted to take his own life.
The player had been overwhelmed with guilt, feeling that he had let his coach down.
“He was genuinely heartbroken about it because I had done a lot for him,” Igesund admitted.
“Fortunately, the doctor was there and was able to intervene.”
A Lesson in Boundaries for Igesund
That incident became a turning point for Igesund, who realized that some players might rely too much on their coaches—not just for footballing advice but for personal guidance as well.
He acknowledged that while mentorship is important, there needs to be a balance between professional and personal involvement.
The experience led him to adopt a different approach with his players moving forward, ensuring that his role remained within the confines of coaching rather than becoming too deeply involved in their personal struggles.
The Pressure on Players and the Role of Coaches
Chabangu’s story raises a larger conversation about the mental health challenges that footballers face, particularly when dealing with the pressures of professional sports.
It also highlights the role that coaches play in their players’ lives—not just as tacticians but as figures of support.
Should players rely so heavily on their coaches for guidance? Or should clubs implement more structured mental health support systems?