Pretoria Callies attacking midfielder Augustine Mahlonoko says his Facebook account was hacked on Tuesday and didn’t type the post announcing that he is taking a break from football due to mental health issues.
Mahlonoko is focused on helping the GladAfrica Championship side Pretoria Callies finish in the top eight and wants to reach greater heights in his football career.
“The reports are not true. I’m not taking any break from football,” Mahlonoko told FARPost.
Mahlonoko was once dubbed the next big thing after becoming Orlando Pirates’ youngest ever debutant in August 2018 at the age of 16 and 352 days.
But two years later, he parted ways with the Soweto giants due to lack of game time and joined Baroka in 2020 on a three-year deal before moving to Callies on loan ahead of the current season.
The 20-year-old insisted that he has no plans of hanging up his boots or taking a break from football.
“My Facebook account was hacked. I was also surprised when one of my friends showed me the post. In fact, I was hurt and disappointed. For a moment, I thought I was dreaming because I never imagined a day without football. I love the game so much. I’m hoping to help the team to end the season at least in the top 8,” he said.
Mahlonoko added: “I want to change lives through this sport because it changed my life. And I want to be remembered as one of the greatest to play this game.”
