With yesterday being International Crime Day, it will probably come as no surprise that many who are associated with the PSL have been affected by crime.
There are also many South African players who spent their formative years in poverty-stricken environments. Here are a few local stars who grew up in tough living conditions.
Steven Pienaar
Having grown up in Westbury, Johannesburg, Pienaar has often spoken about being exposed to gangsterism and poverty in his early years. He didn't let this stop him from pursuing a football career and did not succumb to external pressures as a young player. Pienaar, as we all know, went on to have a highly successful career in Europe.
Benni McCarthy
Like Pienaar, Benni was exposed to things such as drugs and poverty as youngster living in a gang-infested area. Hanover Park is one of the most dangerous places in Cape Town to live in; luckily for Benni, he kept his eyes fully focused on becoming one of Mzansi's finest footballers ever.
Teko Modise
In a heartfelt interview with Soccer Laduma earlier this year, the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder spoke about being deprived of playing football and also having to eat out of bins for a short period of time when he was homeless. Today, the maestro is one of the best players in the country, despite the challenges he faced growing up.
Franklin Cale
The powerful winger grew up in a place called Ocean View on the Cape Flats, which is also one of the more harsher environments to live in. Interestingly, Cale has a dove tattooed on his left arm, which he says serves as a reminder to stay on the straight and narrow.
Can you think of any other players who had a tough upbringing?
