In the wake of Platinum Stars excellent domestic campaign their captain Vuyo Mere admits he's career could've gone in a completely different direction.
The former Sundowns full-back has seen his peers fall by the wayside in recent years but Mere claims it's all due to living an unprofessional lifestyle off the field of play - something he was guilty of during his stint at the Brazilians.
"When you are at a big team like Sundowns, you get so many friends," he told The Sowetan. "We were winning games, winning the league and the money was coming left and right.
"I was always surrounded by soccer players and you know what happens when soccer players are together? All hell break loose. I lived an unprofessional life. My life wasn't that straight, but I didn't realise it because I was young.
"Now I have a lovely wife with two kids, I'm eating well and resting a lot. I can be able to analyse my game," he added.
"I'm just glad that God gave me a second chance. We always blame the media for exposing our lives, but if you live right you are not going to be in the papers for the wrong reasons."
Since making his debut in 2001 for Hellenic FC as a 17-year old, Mere has won every domestic trophy on offer while boasting a remarkable 404 Premiership appearances.
