HE USED to be cheered by crowds when he was a top footballer.
But after he hung up his boots, life became so difficult for Thulasizwe Mbuyane that he even tried to take his own life.
The former Free State Stars, Orlando Pirates, Mpumalanga Black Aces and Bafana Bafana midfielder told Daily Sun that he almost killed himself in 2017 because of depression.
The 39-year-old said he was at his lowest after he got divorced, his career ended and his company started doing badly.
He said he tried to overdose on his epilepsy tablets.
“After I retired, life was hard. When I was diagnosed with epilepsy, I didn’t accept it,” he said.
However, he said he was thankful that he did not die.
“I won’t kill myself and I love my three children,” he said.
Thulasizwe said he went for counselling to get his life back on track, and advised others to speak out when they needed help.
He was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2011, which eventually forced him to retire in 2014.
Former Mamelodi Sundowns player and friend Thokozani Mnguni said he was planning to rope Thulasizwe into his foundation. He said he was talking to management to get him to coach strikers.
“Having to retire from football at an age, where you can still play, is always traumatic. I know he’s getting over it and I continue being there for him as a friend. It was not good for him to have to end his career due to a chronic condition, but he had no choice,” he said.
Dr Hlengane Maluleke said epilepsy could be very dangerous.
“If it’s severe, it can affect a player during a came. It can cause the player to suffer injuries that can block the windpipe,” he said.
