Concerns Increase About Footballer Khanyelihle Shozi, Missing Since October: Not Found as Reported

Concerns Increase About Footballer Khanyelihle Shozi, Missing Since October: Not Found as Reported

Keba Mothoagae
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:54 PM
  • Troubled footballer Khanyelihle Shozi is still missing, contradicting reports from over the weekend that he had been found
  • Shozi, currently on the books of National First Division team JDR Stars, went missing in October 2021, the second such instance, according to his family
  • His former coach at TS Galaxy, Dan Malesela, revealed that Shozi had been struggling with mental health issues while at the club

Troubled former Mamelodi Sundowns player Khanyelihle Shozi was not found over the weekend as was reported by various media outlets.

Shozi, who was on the books of GladAfrica Championship (National First Division) team JDR Stars, went missing for a second time in October last year, his family said

khanyelihle shozi, missing, mamelodi sundowns, steve khompela, jdr stars, ts galaxy, dstv premiership, national first division, dan malesela, mental health, mental illness
Khanyelihle Shozi during his time at TS Galaxy. Image source: @KickOffMagazine/Twitter
Source: Twitter

According to The South African, Shozi is yet to be accounted for. This news came in the form of current Mamelodi Sundowns co-coach Steve Khompela's tweet yesterday.

The tweet read:

"First, he is still MISSING. The first footage we received, as reported by family (brother), was old footage. He is still missing. Continue looking out for him and we appreciate your amazing support. Thanks a lot."

Khompela previously tweeted that Shozi had been found, as quoted in the Sunday World.

Sadly, his former coach at TS Galaxy Dan Malesela revealed that Shozi had been struggling with mental health issues while under his tutelage.

Malesela told KickOff:

"Look, what's happening to this boy is a concern. There are a number of things that Khaya should be helped with his life if he's found. I remember him at Galaxy where he was very quiet, very isolated you know. He would keep to himself and mind his own business.
"I would watch his behaviour and sometimes Khaya would speak to himself alone. Those were not good signs, it's just that we didn't pick up that something was wrong."

For anyone who might be suffering from the effects of mental illness, or is aware of anyone else struggling, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group can be contacted on +27 (0)80 056 7567 or +27 (0)11 234 4837.

PSL player Gabadinho Mhango selected in FIFA 22 FUT Team of the Week

In much happier news, Malawi and Orlando Pirates forward Gabadinho Mhango scored a major win for Malawian and South African football on the world stage.

As reported on Sports Brief, Mhango was named in the FIFA 22 Ultimate Team of the Week in recognition of his performances for The Flames at the 2021 African Cup of Nations.

Appearing in just their third AFCON tournament, Malawi surprised everyone by qualifying for the last 16 of the competition, a first for the country, where they will take on Morocco on Tuesday

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Keba Mothoagae
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