Largely forgotten at Kaizer Chiefs, and now enjoying a new lease on life in KwaZulu-Natal, midfielder Mduduzi Mdantsane has opened up on his ordeal on the sidelines.
Mdantsane was one of the long-term injury casualties at Chiefs from the beginning of the season, after a car accident, where he had surgery on his jaw.
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Even though the 30-year-old recovered from his injury, he could not get a chance under head coach Nasreddine Nabi.
That was until the former Cape Town City man requested for a move elsewhere, with Amakhosi concluding a deal in February with Richards Bay.
Mdantsane says it's a pain he still struggles with, being out for so long, knowing what he is capable of doing.
"When I speak about that incident, it still affects me. I don't like to talk about it. But it was very difficult, I don't want to lie, that I'm not in the field that I like, that I was born for," Mdantsane said on Ukhozi FM.
"It's hard watching other players doing good, supporting them, but me personally, I could feel that: 'Hey, it should be me who is playing'. It's hurting to all players, they feel it.
"You get affected in your spirit. I always want to be on the field, but I had to accept. It was not easy," Mdantsane added.
The Bafana Bafana international was yet to feature for Chiefs this season before his loan move to the Natal Rich Boyz.
His future at the Soweto giants is under threat, though the left-footer has a contract running until June 2026.
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The club could be on one of their off-season overhauls, with players not on the coach's plans going forward in danger of having their contracts terminated.
Mdantsane featured in 16 matches for Chiefs in all competitions in 2023/24, before his accident during off-season.