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Former Pirates star picks up pieces after years of drug abuse

Junaid Hartley at his one on one coaching with a child called Keenan Schofield Education Through Soccer Academy. Picture credi: Veli Nhlapo/ Sowetan
Junaid Hartley at his one on one coaching with a child called Keenan Schofield Education Through Soccer Academy. Picture credi: Veli Nhlapo/ Sowetan

Former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates star Junaid Hartley has bounced back from a hellhole after a decade of drug abuse. Hartley, who lost all his fame and fortune after years of drug abuse, has now been clean for 10 months.

He now coaches the under-11 team at the Education Through Soccer Academy (Etsa) in Ruimsig, west of Joburg.

"I would like to give back to the community, I need to give back to the game. It's something I should have done a long time ago," he said.

Hartley said he decided to get his life back on track after he lost everything and his family also gave up on him.

"I was living on the street and thought to myself that enough is enough. There was no going lower," he said.

He was admitted to a drug rehabilitation centre in January but was kicked out after 30 days. "I was very disruptive during my stay there. I would find myself kicking things around, anything I could find."

For the full report click here to read on Sunday World