South Africa’s biggest football match has been postponed following the tragic death of Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.
The event is the first Soweto Derby of the season between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, scheduled for Saturday.
PANA reports that the 27-year-old, who also captained the national side, was shot dead in a botched robbery at the home of his girlfriend in Vosvloorus outside Johannesburg on Sunday night.
“The match will not happen on Saturday out of respect for Senzo. That’s the right thing to do,” Brand De Villiers, chief executive of the Professional Soccer League, told a news conference in Johannesburg on Monday.
An emotional Shakes Mashaba, the national coach, told the same media briefing that the tragedy was a massive blow for the squad.
“He was the peacemaker in the team and a very kind person. He was the link between the players and the technical team,” Mashaba said.
Minister of Sports, Fikile Mbalula, described Meyiwa as a national asset, saying “the devil has dug deep in our pockets taking Senzo away from us.
“The criminals have robbed us of his brightness. There is no grave big enough for Senzo.”
No arrests have been made.
Earlier, President Jacob Zuma expressed shock, sadness and outrage at the tragedy.
“We mourn the death of this young footballer and team leader whose life has been taken away at the prime of his career.
“The law enforcement authorities must leave no stone unturned in finding his killers and bring them to justice. Words cannot express the nation’s shock at this loss,” he said in a statement.
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