Josta Dladla, a retired midfielder, has revealed on Instagram that he will start his own podcast. The 44-year-old former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs player has transitioned to a post-professional football career in the media, notably with SuperSport TV. He is now launching his own platform and announced that his first guest will be Junaid Hartley, a former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana star midfielder.
Dladla described his new podcast, titled “Izinja zeGame,” as a weekly and free soccer podcast. The first episode will feature Hartley, who had a promising career that was derailed by a 14-year battle with substance abuse that eventually led to prison.
Hartley will candidly discuss his struggles with addiction and will reflect on his time at Wits University, his friendship with Stanton Fredericks, as well as his experiences facing legendary footballers such as Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka. Hartley will also share anecdotes about working with the well-respected Shakes Mashaba.
This podcast aims to delve into the personal journeys of footballers, their challenges, their successes, and the lessons they have learned along the way. It also provides a platform for athletes to share their stories and inspire others.