Keletso Sifama: Former Kaizer Chiefs Star Shares Epilepsy Battle That Threatened His Career
SOUTH AFRICA — Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Keletso Sifama has revealed that epileptic seizures threatened to end his football career prematurely, but the 23-year-old says faith and resilience kept him from walking away from the game.
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Sifama, now playing for Gomora United in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, opened up about his personal struggles in an interview with Soccer Laduma, describing a journey marked by illness but defined by determination.
**Seizures Struck During Matches and Tournaments**
The young striker progressed through Kaizer Chiefs' DStv Diski Challenge setup and earned junior international recognition before being loaned out to Maritzburg United, Pretoria Callies and Casric Stars as the club sought to give him competitive experience at a professional level.
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It was during this period that his condition posed the greatest threat to his development.
"I had seizures, like epilepsy. It played a role in my career. It killed me, but not me being weak in my mind. I kept on pushing and fighting this thing of me getting sick," Sifama told Soccer Laduma.
He confirmed the episodes occurred at multiple clubs and even during national team duty. "I used to have epileptic (episodes) even in the games, but it's a thing that healed as I got older. It happened at Chiefs, and at Pretoria Callies. Even in the national team it happened. It's something that's no longer there because it healed. Treatment helped me to be better."
**Sifama Sets Sights on Topflight Return**
Despite the setbacks, Sifama refused to attribute his departure from Amakhosi solely to his health. He also spent time at Sekhukhune United before his current move to Gomora.
"I don't want to blame it on me being sick. I think it was a decision they took for me to leave Kaizer Chiefs, but I did not take it badly. I am still in the professional set-up. I can go back if I work hard," he said.
The striker described his move to Gomora as a valuable opportunity to rebuild and prove himself. "Faith and belief keep me going. In everything that you do, do not forget to pray. This (the move to Gomora) is a big thing because there is a platform for me to work and show how good I am."
Gomora United are scheduled to face Upington City in the Motsepe Foundation Championship this weekend at Malamulele Stadium.
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Source: Briefly News
