Cape Town - Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Thandani Ntshumayelo has revealed that his son helped him stay away from drugs during his ban for cocaine use.
Ntshumayelo was banned from the game in 2016 after testing positive which saw him handed a four-year suspension.
At the time 'Bibo' saw his contract with the Sea Robbers terminated and it appeared his career as a player was largely over.
Nonetheless, after an appeal earlier this week to the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport proved a success, he is now free to resume playing should clubs be interested in his services.
"For two or three months without a salary I felt it, so it was not easy. My father was helping me and some of my friends were there for me financially. I'm thankful,” said Ntshumayelo, according to SowetanLIVE website.
"But some of the things I had to let go because I couldn't pay for them [including a Mercedes-Benz CLA]. This had a big [negative] impact on my life and you must remember that when it happened, my son had just been born.
"I wanted to give him better opportunities and take care of him, but I couldn't provide for him. It was one of the reasons that made me change my life.
"I made a mistake in my life and he was not there. I was obviously selfish and was just thinking about myself. Maybe if he wasn't born, I would have carried on with the drugs and gave up."
Now 28, Ntshumayelo has the chance to revive his career and might be back in training with a Premier Soccer League team as early as next week, although the midfielder declined to reveal the three clubs who are apparently interested in him.