Former Cape Town City and Mamelodi Sundowns star Aubrey Ngoma has offered some advice to football players who can sometimes fall to the temptations that come with fame.
In a 15-year career, Ngoma played for some of the biggest clubs in South Africa, including Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United, and retired at the end of the 2022/23 season.
Speaking to Jabu Mahlangu on the Jabu Mahlangu & Diski Shandis podcast on YouTube, Ngoma advised players to settle down in relationships, saying his partner was there to support him in stressful situations.
“She played a massive role in keeping me grounded and level-headed, saying ‘Things might not be going well at work for you but we support you. We believe you are not a bad player overnight. Just because they don’t play you now, you know what you have achieved over the years. Continue going to work, do what you have to do and when you come back, we are here and we will support you fully’,” Ngoma added.
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According to Ngoma, his wife was a pillar of strength for him when he wasn’t playing regularly at Sundowns, where he moved to in 2018 after two stellar seasons with Cape Town City.
“My partner told me to wake up, put my smile on and go to work and do the job. People will say they don’t understand how someone who has money can be depressed.
“Us as footballers, the only thing that makes us happy is playing football, that is where we forget everything. Imagine where you are supposed to forget everything is where you get all the problem.
“It is difficult but I thank my wife a lot. She and my first born were there when I was going through a tough period when I was at Sundowns and they gave me a lot of strength to continue.”
Because of the support he received from his wife, Ngoma urged other footballers to settle down to help them deal with the pitfalls that come with being a celebrity and a professional footballer in South Africa.
“A guy who does not live with his partner may face challenges because you can receive a call any time, go out and dance and come back in the morning, change your clothes and go dance again the whole weekend because you live alone, no one is going to call you into order,” Ngoma said.
“You don’t have anyone to report to, whereas when you live with your partner, you won’t go the whole weekend without your wife/girlfriend not knowing where you are.
“A lot of guys need to consider that because as much as we as guys like to have our own fun and our own time, but a house without a wife has no stability most of the time. Women bring stability. As gents, we might argue and fight about it but the truth must be told.”
Sport
