Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, Josta Dladla, was recently said to have failed a drug test for the banned so-called performance stimulant, Methylhexaneamine. The 34-year-old's results were from a test he took last year by the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport.
His failed drug test took many by surprise as the player has largely enjoyed a unblemished career on and off the field, and his professionalism and versatility was something coach Stuart Baxter is said to much admire.
However, it could be that Dladla's use of Methylhexaneamine was more to help him lose weight rather than to enhance his performance. The substance is commonly found in on-the-shelf dietary pills and fat burners which are available without prescription to the general public. The substance is also commonly found in nasal decongestants as well.
In 2011 then Manchester City defender, Kolo Toure, tested positive for the same substance but it later emerged he had merely been taking dietary pills containing Methylhexaneamineto to help him lose weight. Nonetheless, because the substance is banned by the World Doping Agency, the English Football Association handed the player a six month ban.
What this potentially means is that Dladla, despite perhaps taking Methylhexaneamineto unwittingly in possibly the form of diet pills, could face a similar sanction.
This could potentially be a bombshell to the versatile midfielder as it seemed he was in the picture to get a one year renewal of his contract at Naturena, something that could be affected if he were to get a long-term ban.
Chiefs are currently waiting for Dladla's official response to the failed drug test, and it appears further action will only take place after that point. The Siya crew will monitor developments.