Former Kaizer Chiefs forward Keletso Sifama has opened up about the health challenges that affected his football career, revealing that he experienced epileptic seizures while playing professionally.
Sifama burst onto the scene at just 17 when he made his professional debut for Kaizer Chiefs in 2020. However, his promising start at Naturena was followed by a series of loan spells and a difficult period away from the spotlight.
Now 23, the Katlehong-born attacker is determined to rebuild his career and believes his latest opportunity can help him return to the top flight.
Keletso Sifama reveals his epilepsy battle
Sifama says his career was affected by seizures, including episodes that occurred while he was playing matches.
Speaking to Soccer Laduma, the former Chiefs attacker explained that dealing with the condition was one of the biggest challenges he faced during his early career.
“I was a sick boy. I had seizures, like epilepsy. It played a role in my career.”
Sifama revealed that the episodes happened during his time at several clubs, including Kaizer Chiefs and Pretoria Callies. He also said he experienced them while representing the national team.
“It happened at Chiefs, and at Pretoria Callies. Even in the national team it happened,” he said.
Despite those difficulties, Sifama insists that he refused to allow the health battle to define him.
He said treatment helped and that, according to his account, the episodes eventually stopped as he got older.
From Kaizer Chiefs to the lower divisions
Sifama made his Chiefs debut as a teenager before being sent out on loan to Maritzburg United, Pretoria Callies and Casric Stars.
He later made a permanent move to Cape Town Spurs, but his spell at the club did not go according to plan.
The former Sekhukhune United striker subsequently found himself back in the Motsepe Foundation Championship, where he has joined Gomora United.
While his career trajectory has not matched the early expectations surrounding him, Sifama does not blame his departure from Chiefs solely on his health.
“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,” he explained.
Sifama determined to revive his career
Sifama believes his move to Gomora United represents another chance to prove himself.
The attacker remains hopeful that consistent performances and hard work can eventually earn him another opportunity at the highest level of South African football.
“I am still in the professional set-up. I can go back if I work hard,” he said.
For Sifama, faith has also played an important role in helping him navigate the setbacks he has experienced.
“Faith and belief keep me going. In everything that you do, do not forget to pray,” he said.
Rather than dwelling on what happened at Chiefs, Sifama is now focused on what comes next.
His journey from a teenage Chiefs debutant to battling health challenges and rebuilding his career in the Motsepe Foundation Championship has been far from straightforward.
But with a fresh opportunity at Gomora United, the former Amakhosi youngster is hoping to write a different chapter in his football story.
Do you remember Keletso Sifama from his days at Kaizer Chiefs?
