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Keagan Dolly admits crisis in confidence during Montpellier stay

After four-and-a-half seasons abroad, Dolly returned to South Africa at the start of the current campaign when he joined Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Montpellier.

Dean Furman (59 caps, 4 goals) – Altrincham Town (
Dean Furman (59 caps, 4 goals) – Altrincham Town (National League, England)
Kgosi Ntlhe (1 cap, 0 goals) – Barrow FC (League T
Kgosi Ntlhe (1 cap, 0 goals) – Barrow FC (League Two, England)
Lebo Mothiba (15 caps, 4 goals) – Strasbourg (Ligu
Lebo Mothiba (15 caps, 4 goals) – Strasbourg (Ligue 1, France)
Bongani Zungu (32 caps, 5 goals) – Amiens (Ligue 2
Bongani Zungu (32 caps, 5 goals) – Amiens (Ligue 2, France)
Gift Links (5 caps, 0 goals) – Aarhus (Superliga,
Gift Links (5 caps, 0 goals) – Aarhus (Superliga, Denmark)
Percy Tau (33 caps, 13 goals) – Al Ahly (Premier L
Percy Tau (33 caps, 13 goals) – Al Ahly (Premier League, Egypt)
Lorenzo Gordinho (3 caps, 0 goals) – Viborg (Super
Lorenzo Gordinho (3 caps, 0 goals) – Viborg (Superliga, Denmark)
Luther Singh (13 caps, 3 goals) – FC Copenhagen (S
Luther Singh (13 caps, 3 goals) – FC Copenhagen (Superliga, Denmark)
Ayanda Patosi (12 caps, 3 goals) – Foolad (Persian
Ayanda Patosi (12 caps, 3 goals) – Foolad (Persian Gulf Pro League, Iran)
Siyanda Xulu (11 caps, 1 goal) – Hapoel Tel Aviv (
Siyanda Xulu (11 caps, 1 goal) – Hapoel Tel Aviv (Ligat ha'AL, Israel)
Lars Veldwijk (8 caps, 0 goals) – Suwon FC (K Leag
Lars Veldwijk (8 caps, 0 goals) – Suwon FC (K League 1, South Korea)
Thibang Phete (1 cap, 0 goals) – Belenenses (Prime
Thibang Phete (1 cap, 0 goals) – Belenenses (Primeira Liga, Portugal)
Thulani Serero (44 caps, 2 goals) – Al Jazira (Pro
Thulani Serero (44 caps, 2 goals) – Al Jazira (Pro League, UAE)
Kamohelo Mokotjo (24 caps, 0 goals) – FC Cincinnat
Kamohelo Mokotjo (24 caps, 0 goals) – FC Cincinnati (Major League Soccer, USA)
Lebo Phiri (8 caps, 2 goals) – Rizespor (Super Lig
Lebo Phiri (8 caps, 2 goals) – Rizespor (Super Lig, Turkey)
Dino Ndlovu (8 caps, 1 goal) – Kocaelispor (1. Lig
Dino Ndlovu (8 caps, 1 goal) – Kocaelispor (1. Lig, Turkey)
Liam Jordan (4 caps, 0 goals) – Helsingor (First D
Liam Jordan (4 caps, 0 goals) – Helsingor (First Division, Denmark)
Ryan Moon (8 caps, 1 goal) – Varbergs (Allsvenskan
Ryan Moon (8 caps, 1 goal) – Varbergs (Allsvenskan, Sweden)
Scroll through the gallery to see the 19 Bafana Ba
Scroll through the gallery to see the 19 Bafana Bafana internationals who currently ply their trade abroad
Riyaad Norodien (4 caps, 1 goal) – Motema Pembe (L
Riyaad Norodien (4 caps, 1 goal) – Motema Pembe (Ligue 1, DR Congo)

The former Ajax Cape Town and Mamelodi Sundowns star has since hit the ground running with five goals in his first 10 league appearances for the Amakhosi, earning a recall to the Bafana Bafana squad in the process.

Appearing to have rediscovered his best form, Dolly admits that he questioned his move to France, where he scored just once in 64 appearances for Montpellier, due to persistent injury concerns and a crisis in confidence.  

"Before I left for France, I played at Ajax, I played at Sundowns and I played regularly and hardly got injured," the 28-year-old said ahead of South Africa's 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe.

"When I went to France it was a different thing. I couldn't break into the first-team. I think I first had to get used to a different culture and, obviously, a different language as well.

"So, the first six months were difficult for me and from there, I didn't have the confidence, and each time I did get the chance to play I either came off injured or I didn't play well.

"I think that had a mental effect on me. I was far from home and I didn't have a lot of support, and I always felt like, 'was it the right move? Was I really happy to be there?'

"You could see that on the field as well. I wasn't free, I wasn't myself and yeah, it was just a confidence thing with me.

"Now that I am back home, I feel good. I have support from everyone and it's always good to see that people are behind you and that they have your back, and I think I needed that in France."

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