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Cape Town - Having made headlines for all the wrong reasons during his spell at Kaizer Chiefs, Black Leopards midfielder Chris Matombo is hoping for a chance to repay Amakhosi.
Matombo was released from his contract at Naturena in 2016 following a disastrous loan spell at Chippa United. Two years later, the 24-year-old is set to return to South African football, having joined Lidoda Duvha following a stint in Malta.
According to Soccer Laduma, the midfielder admitted that his lifestyle off the field cost him dearly during his previous spell in the Premiership.
Explaining why Chippa released him from his loan, Matombo said: "Look, I was still young and made a lot of bad mistakes. At the time, money used to go into my head. I used to get mad when I had money.
"I remember my first game was against Chiefs and I did well - and then after that game, I went straight to Cubana, where I had a lot to drink. So much so that I couldn't wake up to go to training the next day.
"Guys phoned me... Mark Mayambela and Edward Manqele phoned me, telling me that it was time to go to the training, but like I said, I couldn't wake up because I partied a lot and was still partying. I learned from that experience. So Chippa released me after that."
Matombo revealed that he knew his time at Chiefs was up afterwards, as he realised the Soweto giants would no doubt have taken note of his behaviour at Chippa.
He now claims to be a changed man, crediting his new persona to the sense of purpose instilled in him from the responsibility of fatherhood. Even so, he feels he owes something to Amakhosi.
"Bobby Motaung used to love me a lot and coach Ace Khuse also used to believe in me. I let a lot of people down there," Matombo said.
"If it would happen that I get another chance, I would really repay them for the faith they had in me."
