LERATO Chabangu's appearance as a substitute for Bafana Bafana against Brazil on Friday night meant the reformed striker ended an international exile of more than four years since his last appearance for the country.
Chabangu last played for South Africa against Sierra Leone in a World Cup qualifier in Atteridgeville in June 2008, the last of his 14 caps before his career went downhill with injury and alcohol problems.
But his fight back to fitness and new lease of life and his career at Moroka Swallows culminated in his selection for the trip to Brazil and a run out against the five-time world champions. The four years, two months and 15 days between his last cap and 15th appearance for the national team is not a record, however.
That is held by defender Edries Burton, who had a gap of more than five years between his first and second cap. He made his debut for Bafana against Kenya in September 1996 and was recalled just before the 2002 World Cup, playing a friendly against Ecuador in Spain in April 2002. Burton won the league and cup double with Cape Town Spurs in 1995 and a second league title in the 2001-02 season with Santos, which led to his second cap at 33.
Bafana's ultimate comeback kid
LERATO Chabangu's appearance as a substitute for Bafana Bafana against Brazil on Friday night meant the reformed striker ended an international exile of more than four years since his last appearance for the country.
Chabangu last played for South Africa against Sierra Leone in a World Cup qualifier in Atteridgeville in June 2008, the last of his 14 caps before his career went downhill with injury and alcohol problems.
But his fight back to fitness and new lease of life and his career at Moroka Swallows culminated in his selection for the trip to Brazil and a run out against the five-time world champions. The four years, two months and 15 days between his last cap and 15th appearance for the national team is not a record, however.
That is held by defender Edries Burton, who had a gap of more than five years between his first and second cap. He made his debut for Bafana against Kenya in September 1996 and was recalled just before the 2002 World Cup, playing a friendly against Ecuador in Spain in April 2002. Burton won the league and cup double with Cape Town Spurs in 1995 and a second league title in the 2001-02 season with Santos, which led to his second cap at 33.
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