Mkhize played for African Wanderers in Durban before going on to play for Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs in the mid-2000s. However, he has spoken about how his career was derailed as a result of a bad party scene, poor money management, and alcoholism.
Mkhize ended himself broke and homeless, even begging for money on the streets of his hometown of Estcourt in KwaZulu Natal, but the 49-year-old has now turned his life around after returning to football as a coach of youth teams in the area.
Recently speaking at ‘Diageo’s Wrong Side of the Road Campaign’, which is aimed at creating awareness around the dangers of driving under the influence, Mkhize spoke candidly about his past life, including a shooting incident.
“When things started heating up, after I lost my career after the gunshot at Chiefs, when I went back home, when people looked at me, they thought it was all over (for me). I remember one time, I locked myself in my room. I took my gun, I put it in front of me. I said ‘because cars cannot end my life, I am going to end my life myself,” he commented, as quoted by the Phakaathi website
“Right then something came across my mind, there were people who needed me that I have forgotten. I have kids, something came into my mind, to say ‘people need you’.”
Mkhize is now coaching Under-15 and Under-17 teams in Estcourt.
Mkhize went on to further discuss the 2003 incident when he accidentally shot himself in the leg with his own gun, which effectively ended his career.
“I opened up my house, I had no money, I started to stand on the streets asking for a lift to town, asking if anyone had two Rand. Football is in my heart, after that … I had to start afresh, to tell the truth to people…
“Today I have nothing. Not one car, not a wife, not a house to sleep in,” Mkhize added.
“I must say alcohol destroyed my life, my career, everything. If I had managed to look after myself at that time when I was playing, I wouldn’t be in this situation right now.”
Share on Facebook «||»
Share on Twitter «||»
Share on Reddit «||»
Share on LinkedIn
Read Related News On TDPel Media
Advertisement
Alcohol ‘destroyed’ my life, career – Striker Mkhize: Mkhize played for African Wanderers in Durban before going on to play for Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs in the mid-2000s. He’s already discussed how...
Soccer Player Alexis Beka Beka’s Near-Tragic Suicide Attempt Over Breakup: Footballer’s Desperate Moment Alexis Beka Beka, currently under contract with the French Ligue 1 club OGC Nice, found himself in a deeply distressing situation. The...
WATCH – Doctor Khumalo speaks on Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Teboho Mokoena!: SA football legend Doctor Khumalo recently revealed his interesting and intriguing views on Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Teboho Mokoena. DOCTOR KHUMALO SPEAKS ABOUT CHIEFS,...
Orlando Pirates Facing Departure of Tenth Player: International Striker Souaibou Marou Set to Leave: Orlando Pirates, the South African football club, is on the brink of bidding farewell to yet another player during this transfer window. This time, it’s...
Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro issues crucial update on striker Zakhele Lepasa but is uncertain of his availability: Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro issues crucial update on striker Zakhele Lepasa but is uncertain of his availability Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has issued...
Orlando Pirates’ Makgopa – The Striker Who Defies Odds and Finds Confidence: Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro expresses optimism about the potential of top striker Evidence Makgopa, stating that the best is yet to come from the...
Man United Legend Vidic’s Legacy Debated: “Nowhere Near Ferdinand and Terry”, Says Former Striker: Former Manchester United center-back Nemanja Vidic has come under fire from an unexpected source. Gary Taylor-Fletcher, a striker with a journeyman career that included a...
Popular Lagos State Socialite’s Suicide Attempt on Third Mainland Bridge: On Thursday, a well-known socialite and skincare vendor from Lagos State, Farida, also known as King Phreedah, made a distressing attempt to take her own...
Naira Marley Opens Up About Mohbad’s Mental Breakdown and Suicide Attempt: Naira Marley’s Startling Revelation CEO of Marlian Musics, Naira Marley, recently made a shocking revelation about the late Mohbad, one of his former signees, shedding...
Dramatic Suicide Attempt Unfolds in Ikeja High Court After Suspect Tries to Kill Himself: Tension gripped an Ikeja High Court on Tuesday, January 23, as a suspect, Ayoko Oluwatobi, facing a six-count charge, made a dramatic suicide attempt while...