DURBAN - South Africa has lost many talented footballers to needless road accidents.
In many instances drug and alcohol abuse has been flagged as the main cause of these fatalities.
The latest incident involves Sekhukhune United's Shaun Mogaila, whose reckless driving claimed the life of a nine year old and left her mother in ICU.
The list of local football players who have ended up in tragic car crashes continues to rise.
Speaking to eNCA psychiatrist Dr Bonginkosi Mafuze says athletes generally live on the ethos of work hard play hard.
Therefore, the use of substances is usually a mechanism of celebration.
At the same time it could be coping with underlining stresses he says.
Industrial psychologist Sabelo Gumede, who works with football teams in KZN, believes players need to be equipped to achieve a work-life balance.
KZN SAFA President Kwenzakwakhwe Ngwenya says the inability to manage finances is another factor for players.