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The football fraternity is in mourning following the fatal shooting of Kaizer Chiefs' Luke Fleurs but the defender joins a long list of players whose lives were tragically ended in South Africa.
The football fraternity in South Africa and around the world is in shock following the fatal shooting of Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs on Wednesday night.
Fleurs' life was cut short when he found himself at the mercy of armed hijackers while waiting at a petrol station in Florida, Johannesburg.
The 24-year-old footballer was forcibly removed from his vehicle and shot once in the upper body, a fatal blow that led to his death before he could receive medical attention.
His untimely demise has brought back memories of other South African footballers who fell victim to the country’s violent crime.
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11:00 - 04.04.2024
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Investigations into Luke Fleurs' murder is in motion as new witness provides crucial details boosting hopes for the arrest of the assailants.
Oshwin Andries
Stellenbosch FC defender and former South Africa U20 captain died in February 2023 from stab wounds.
According to his mother Natasha, the player was stabbed on the head and back following an argument at a tavern in Klapmuts area where he was having fun with friends in January last year.
The player was taken to the hospital and released the following day but started complaining of pain after which another visit to the hospital saw him receive medication. His sickness took a turn for the worse when he died while being taken to a nearby medical facility.
Senzo ‘Nzori’ Meyiwa
Perhaps the most high-profile murder involving a footballer in South Africa, Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa was shot dead by burglars as he tried to protect his celebrity girlfriend during a break-in, in October 2014.
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05:55 - 04.04.2024
Not again! South African footballer shot dead in botched car hijacking
The Kaizer Chiefs defender met his untimely death following a botched car hijacking incident in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening.
Meyiwa was hit by a single round in the chest as he confronted two intruders at night at the home of actress and singer Kelly Khumalo in Vosloorus, a township southeast of Johannesburg. He was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.
The ex-Orlando Pirates goalkeeper was at the height of his career at the time.
Marc Batchelor
Former Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns striker Marc Batchelor was shot dead near his home in Johannesburg in July 2019.
"He was attacked by two men who were driving a motorbike," a police spokesman Col Lungelo Dlamini told South African Broadcasting Corporation at the time.
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18:13 - 28.02.2024
FOOTBALL Rising Ivorian star Defrignan Mondouo found dead in apartment
A 19-year-old Ivorian footballer from the Norwegian club HamKam was found dead in his apartment on Wednesday morning.
"He was about to drive into his premises. The suspects shot several times at him. He died inside the car and they drove away without taking anything.”
Batchelor was travelling with a gardener, who was unharmed.
China ‘Dibaba’ Hlongwane
Having endured the horrific ordeal of being stabbed 27 times by thugs during a live televised match at Ellis Park Stadium on March 23, 1985, amidst the backdrop of the Great Split of 1985 between Orlando Pirates and Jomo Cosmos, China Hlongwane became a symbol of courage and fortitude in the face of adversity.
However, despite his remarkable survival and the indomitable spirit he displayed in the aftermath of the attack, tragedy struck once more as he was fatally shot by an unknown gunman in later years. The circumstances surrounding his death remain shrouded in mystery, leaving behind unanswered questions and deepening the sense of loss within the football community.
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14:09 - 05.12.2023
FOOTBALL Nairobi County League side devastated after player bizarrely collapses on the pitch and dies shortly after
Nairobi County League side Kasarani FC have been thrown into mourning following the demise of their player who collapsed on the pitch and died shortly after while being rushed to hospital.
Aaron ‘Roadblock’ Makhathini
The tragic death of former South African defender Aaron 'Roadblock' Makhathini sent shockwaves through the football community, marking another grim chapter linked to the tumultuous events of the big, bloody football split of 1985.
Makhathini, a promising young talent, met his untimely demise in a senseless act of violence.
Gunned down outside his Pimville home while returning from training, his life was cut short in a heartbreaking turn of events. The circumstances surrounding his death bear the unmistakable imprint of the deep-seated divisions and conflicts that characterised the football landscape during the turbulent period of the 1985 split.
Ewert ‘The Lip’ Nene
The South African football community was thrown in mourning following the tragic death of former footballer Ewert 'The Lip' Nene on August 10, 1976.
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13:18 - 28.10.2021
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Known for his charismatic personality and sharp wit, Nene earned the nickname 'The Lip', a title he shared with boxing legend Muhammad Ali, due to his gift of the gab.
However, Nene's life was cut short in a shocking act of violence that sent shockwaves through the sporting world.
As he walked down a KwaThema street, Nene was pursued and ultimately stabbed to death by thugs. The motive behind the attack stemmed from Nene's involvement in the signing of Nelson 'Teenage' Dladla from Pilkington United Brothers, a move that incurred the wrath of those opposed to the transfer.
Ariel ‘Pro’ Kgongoane
Kgongoane, a revered figure both on and off the football field, was not only known for his leadership as a captain of Kaizer Chiefs but also for his dedication as a school teacher in Soweto.
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16:48 - 06.02.2024
Samuel Okwaraji, Christian Atsu and other top African footballers who left their fans heartbroken
These athletes are remembered not only for their exceptional skills on the field but also for their contributions off it, leaving legacies that transcend their sports careers.
On that fateful day on June 16, 1976, as the Soweto uprisings erupted, Kgongoane found himself in the midst of the chaos that engulfed the township.
Tragically, he was struck by a stray bullet, becoming one of the countless victims of the violence and unrest that gripped the community.
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