Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Chancy Gondwe talks to Soccer Laduma about coming from a background of alcohol abuse and how he is now helping youth not fall into the same trap.
Gondwe was a skillful midfielder during his playing days at Bata Bullets (now known as Big Bullets) in Malawi. He also played for Wits University in South Africa and struggled later due to various experiences off the pitch.
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The 55-year-old is now a pastor and discussed how he knows many current players or sportsmen with similar problems that he had and how he wants to help them turn their lives around.
"I know most of the players have the same problem that I had when I was still playing. I know in the PSL there are some such players," Gondwe told Soccer Laduma.
"My advice to them is that there is no future in abusing alcohol or womanizing. These two things kill your future.
"I used to drink and abuse alcohol and also womanize too much but now I am a born-again pastor. I graduated at the Malawi Assemblies of God Theology University where I am now volunteering to help their football team with coaching as well as mentoring young players."
"I give them testimony on how I wasted my football and life because of these bad habits. I tell them that although they are at school some will not make it in education.
"I am currently also the Chaplain of the Malawi national team. I encourage the players to be spiritual in what they do. I fight alcohol abuse because I hate the mistakes I made through abusing alcohol.
"I would say the same to South African players or any other player that avoids alcohol to have a great future in football.
"I have learnt through my mistakes and I don't want the young players to fall in the same trap. It destroys our careers," Gondwe told Soccer Laduma.
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