SEDIBENG.- The painful story of former Mamelodi Sundowns soccer star, Khayelihle Shozi shows how football can be cruel sometimes. This shows how football can be cruel regardless of how talented you are or your contribution to football, either as a player or football administrator.
The reports that the boy is now roaming around the streets of Vereeniging wandering and digging in rubbish bins shows how football can be cruel, from being a superstar to a homeless!
The boy was spotted digging in rubbish bins in the streets of Vereeniging and no one knows what happened to him. It is said that he is suffering from mental illness after missing twice in 2022. The sad reality about our football is that we are a nation that doesn’t take care of those who used to make us happy with their God-given talent. There are many sad stories of former soccer stars who have fallen from grace.
South Africa has lost many players who at one stage were dimmed to be promising soccer stars. This is well-documented how this country lost its talent because of the off-field lifestyle. However, many blame their lifestyle but TOUCHLINE blames the development structure these youngsters grow up under.
FACT OF MATTER, there is no emphasis as far as education is concerned.
Those who are involved in grassroots football are not honest enough to these youngsters to tell them that football is a short-term career and they must arm themselves with education.
But having said this, it is unclear what happened with this former Sundowns star, despite being told that he is suffering from mental illness. It is still to be confirmed what exactly happened to him.
The boy is all over social media with many football followers having different opinions about his situation. It doesn’t matter anymore if his lifestyle was the result of his condition, what is important is to save him.
TOUCHLINE believes there is not enough education at grassroots football to emphasize the importance of education to the upcoming youngsters. If something drastic is not done, this country will continue to lose potential soccer stars.
