Two seasons ago, while still at Mamelodi Sundowns, people in football circles had given up on Lerato Chabangu.
Fast forward to 2013 and he is part of the 23-man Bafana Bafana squad to play in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking to Soccer-Laduma while in camp, the Moroka Swallows midfielder pays tribute to coach Gordon Igesund, who recruited him to Swallows when no team wanted him.
Chabangu tells the Siya crew that this is time to give back and thank Igesund, “First and foremost I thank God for giving me the strength to fight on," he said.
"My injury was just like that of Katlego Mphela who they said will not play football again. But I worked hard and God helped me heal.
"Secondly I am here because of coach Igesund. He gave me a chance when many people didn't and I owe it to him. You know it is a great honour representing your country in such a prestigious tournament and competition for places is stiff because we all want to be here. Now that we are here we all want to be in the starting line up.
"We want to leave our mark as a new generation and we believe we have the ability to do that. The 1996 generation made their history. Now it's our turn to do so," Chabangu concluded.
