High-flying Sodi remains grounded

Baroka star still uses taxis, and has plans to spoil his mom

Baroka midfielder Tebogo Sodi enjoys the little perks that come with being a professional footballer in the Premier Soccer League.

The Mankweng, Turfloopborn Sodi is experiencing a life he never thought possible growing up in his impoverished home town.

“I enjoy the travel that comes with football, flying to different provinces and staying in hotels. It’s different from what I experienced growing up,” Sodi said.

“It was not easy growing up in Mankweng because there are not many opportunities around. I never thought I would be flying every week so it’s something I am enjoying a lot.

“We had a difficult upbringing and it was not easy. I was raised by a single mother and she tried her best.”

Sodi, 27, has not allowed the new-found fame that comes with being seen on TV get to his head. He still uses public transport when needed and admits that fellow passengers are always surprised to see him.

“Even now I sometimes use taxis to get around and I do not see a problem with it. The only issue would be that passengers would also recognise me and try to talk to me and ask me why I am using a taxi while I am a professional footballer,” he said.

The easy-going chap would rather buy a car at a later stage and first do something special at home for his mother, who raised him and his brothers Kgaugelo and Kagiso alone.

“I am still planning it with my brother but we want to thank her for everything she has done, maybe get her a car. I don’t know, we will see but, yeah, it’s going to be nice.”