Sekhukhune United defend return to action of footballer involved in fatal car accident

JOHANNESBURG - Sekhukhune United says the family of the little girl killed by their player Shaune Mogaila have given their blessing for the striker to return to playing.

In October, Mogaila fled from the scene of a fatal car crash in Tembisa
which resulted in the death of a nine-year-old girl, and left her mother and a 13-year-old neighbour in critical condition.

He later handed himself over to the police.

This Saturday, he played his second game since the crash and was named man of the match after scoring the winning goal against Chippa United.

Sekhukhune head coach Lehlohonolo Seema defended the decision to recall Mogaila, adding that there is constant communication between all parties.

“Behind closed doors, both the family, Shaune and the club, they are trying to work together. Trying to understand and trying to find each other. Which is good because it doesn’t always have to be in the media when the families are meeting,” Seema said after the game.

READ: Case against footballer Shaune Mogaila postponed to May

"They understand that it was an accident. It could have happened to one of us here. It shows also the family, trust me they did not forget, but they are trying to forgive. They say time heals and that is why this boy can come to the field and do this because he knows that the family said ‘Your life doesn’t have to stop. We know what happened and let’s see how it will go’. The family is really being supportive and we thank them. This boy also, we could have easily lost him also if we threw him out in the dark and in the called, and we said ‘deal with it and we’ll see once everything is done’. The important thing is that the club is supporting him so that when the time comes, definitely you won’t see him in the field of play because we know how sensitive the issue is."

Mogaila has appeared twice at the Tembisa Magistrate's Court on charges of reckless and negligent driving as well as fleeing the scene.

Following the crash police found alcohol, dagga, and a white powder, believed to be cocaine, in his car.

The attacker only sustained a head injury from the accident and is out on R20,000 bail.

Speaking on his return to the first team fold and subsequent social media backlash, Seema insists the club are not being insensitive to the situation.

"I don't think we are being insensitive. I think we are showing Ubuntu that everybody deserves a second chance, and it's why it's called an accident, and we have to make sure that we support him," said Seema.

"We know that he hasn't forgotten what happened, but at least the support structure is there. And what a way of showing it. Giving it back today, to our supporters, to football lovers, to see him doing this."
 
"And I think this is another way of showing his mental strength, that he doesn't go and sit at home and put his head between his legs. He's trying. He's still going, as difficult as, as it is, but the support structure from the club has been very good, not forgetting the families there. The club, from day one after the unfortunate incident, it has been there for Shaun, it has been there for the families that were involved,” the Sekhukhune coach added.

"Shaun was given the opportunity and time to take care of matters and the court matter is still going on. But saying that, we need to support Sean and make sure that he's still part of us, and when he's available when he's not attending to those serious matters that he knows himself he's still going to go through some process, we have agreed that we will support him..." said Seema.