“Lerato Chabangu Speaks Out: ‘It Wasn’t Booze — Slay Queens Emptied My Bank Account!’ “

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Lerato Chabangu has finally spoken out about the real reasons behind his dramatic financial downfall — and he says alcohol wasn’t to blame.

In a brutally honest confession, the ex-Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows star set the record straight. “People keep saying alcohol made me broke, but that’s not the full story,” Chabangu said. “The real truth is Slay Queens cleaned out my bank account — not alcohol.”

At the peak of his career, Chabangu was one of the most promising talents in South African football. He played for top-flight clubs, earned national call-ups, and lived what many would call a dream life. But behind the scenes, he was caught up in a lifestyle of extravagance, nightlife, and overspending — mostly, he says, in an attempt to impress beautiful women.

“I was out there trying to show off,” he admitted. “Buying expensive drinks, paying for everything, and getting the most beautiful things for those ladies. They didn’t force me — I did it myself. I take full responsibility for all of it.”

Chabangu’s statement is a sobering reminder of how quickly fame and fortune can disappear when money is not managed wisely. For years, people believed alcohol was the root of his problems, but Chabangu says that’s a myth. According to him, alcohol only became a major part of his life after he lost everything, as he tried to numb the pain of hitting rock bottom.

“The alcohol came after,” he said. “I was trying to cope. But it wasn’t the cause — it was the lifestyle and wrong priorities.”

The football star’s fall from grace has been widely documented. Once admired for his speed and skill on the field, Chabangu eventually found himself unemployed, struggling, and without the wealth that once surrounded him. But instead of blaming others, he’s owning up to his choices — and hopes that his story can serve as a warning to other young athletes and celebrities.

“I made mistakes,” he admitted. “I wanted to live fast, to enjoy life, but I forgot that the money doesn’t last forever. I wish I had made better decisions.”

Today, Chabangu is working to rebuild his life. While the road back to stability has not been easy, he says he’s learning valuable lessons about self-respect, humility, and responsibility.

“I’m not perfect, but I’m wiser now. And if my story can help even one person avoid the same mistakes, then it’s worth telling,” he said.

Lerato Chabangu’s testimony is a powerful example of how living for instant gratification can lead to long-term consequences — but also how it’s never too late to turn things around.