Sport

Troubled Ex-Kaizer Chiefs star Kgaogelo Sekgota enters rehab to rebuild career

Lunga Biyela|Published

Seeking help Former Kaizer Chiefs star Kgaogelo Sekgota has entered rehab in order to deal with a substance abuse problem that's affected his football career. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Image: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Former Kaizer Chiefs player Kgaogelo Sekgota, who had the football world at his feet at the beginning of the decade, has entered rehab in a bid to deal with substance abuse.

This is thought to have scuppered a potential move to Morocco, where a club was keeping tabs on the 28-year-old, who currently plays for Motsepe Foundation Championship side Upington City FC.

After impressing in the colours of Polokwane United in his youth, Sekgota found himself in Lithuania, playing for FC Stumbras. He then transferred to Portuguese Primeira Liga club Vitória, but lasted one season.

He returned to South Africa in 2020, and after playing for Bidvest Wits and Moroka Swallows, he moved to Kaizer Chiefs in 2021, then to Stellenbosch FC, Magesi FC, and finally Upington. During that time, he struggled with his discipline.

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But at Upington FC, Sekgota has received the backing of club president David Mogashoa, who has urged other players going through similar struggles to follow in his footsteps.

“You can’t dismiss a player because he is in rehab, so he still has an option with us,” Mogashoa said, as per FARPost.

“The player needs support, so I am going to support him. As I speak with you now, you can hear that I am in a car. I am driving to Limpopo to see him. You don’t throw away people when they need help; you support them.”

“We are encouraging him, and we also encourage everyone who has an issue to seek help. A player must never be crucified for seeking help. That’s why I am driving to Limpopo now to go and see him,” he said.

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