Benni McCarthy says his earliest football memory was one of playing for a gangster team during his youth, and that football was the only reason why the violence would stop.
The former Orlando Pirates striker revealed to Four Four Two magazine how playing for dangerous gangster team worked, and that his team was funded by drug money.
"Growing up in Hanover Park, Cape Town and playing in the gangster league. That helped turn me into the person and player I became. I was 12 and playing against grown men = that makes you grow up quickly," revealed McCarthy.
"Cape Town is full of gangs, but the violence stopped on a Sunday to make time for football. On a Monday it would resume.
"Huge tournaments took place; we called it 'the Bundesliga' because the 'Bundes' were blocks between the rival gang areas where nobody dared go.
"I played for the American gang – a wealthy gang because of the drug money. We wore Brazil's kit and had players who played at a higher level.
"Tournaments would always be for money – and big money too. We'd share that out between the players."
This is quite an amazing story, but one which is not uncommon among Cape Town-born players. Do you think football has often saved players from turning into gangsters?
