Ex-Pirates star in hot water!

FORMER Orlando Pirates and Marumo Gallants striker Gabadinho Mhango is in big trouble.

This after he was involved in a car crash in Bloemfontein, Free State on Sunday, 29 September.

It's alleged that Mhango was heavily drunk when his car crashed into a taxi with a number of passengers.

Police spokeswoman Captain Loraine Earle confirmed that the accident happened in Fort Hare Street near the Batho Clinic in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

Mhango, in a car, and a taxi were entering Bochabela kasi when the incident occurred.

His black VW GTI Golf allegedly rear-ended a Toyota Quantum carrying an unknown number of passengers.

"The driver of the GTI and passengers in the Quantum were rushed to the hospital where they were treated for minor injuries.

"A case of reckless and negligent driving while under the influence of alcohol is being investigated," she said.

The 32-year-old Malawian international footballer was charged with drunk and driving recklessly as well as negligence.

He briefly appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Monday, 30 September.

The accused was released on warning.

The case has been Wednesday, 2 October, for the accused to get a legal aid representative.

Marumo Gallant's spokesman Sello Nduna told Daily Sun that the matter has never been formally presented to the management.

Nduna said they learnt through social media that their player had been involved in the car crash.

"We're not aware that our player has been arrested and subsequently appeared in court. The players were given a few days to relax after our game against AmaZulu, which Mhango was not part of. We are on the Fifa calendar until 26 October. We condemn any irritating behaviour amongst our players. We will wait for the matter to formally come to the management. The internal processes will be followed thereof," he said

The drink-and-drive problem cost Mzansi dearly when Bafana Bafana striker Richard Henyekane lost his life on the N5 highway between QwaQwa and Bethlehem years ago.

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams have a record of footballers who found themselves in the wrong law as a result of alcohol.

Prominent players such as Mbulelo Mabizela, Junior Khanye, Dumisani Zuma, Andile Jali, Itumeleng Khune, Phakamani Mahlambi, and Siyabonga Zulu are among those who found themselves on the wrong side of the law because of drink-and-drive incidents.