A soccer player who had a pre-contract with Bidvest Wits died in a car accident.
FREE State Stars winger Sinethemba Jantjie was killed in a car crash in Bethlehem on the morning of Monday, April 1.
The soccer player, nicknamed “Mgijimi” because of his swift speed, had signed a pre-contract with Bidvest Wits in January. He was set to start playing as a right attacking winger on July 1.
Free State Stars General Manager Rantsi Mokoena told Wits Vuvuzela he found out about the accident early on Monday morning. He was subsequently asked to go to the scene, where he later confirmed Jantjie’s death.
“There are no words to describe how the players are feeling,” said Mokoena. He said there was a sombre mood hanging over the club as the players and Jantjie had all been together on Sunday, the day before the accident.
Bidvest Wits Media and Communications Officer Julian Bailey told Wits Vuvuzela that Jantjie showed a lot of quality, especially with his quick attacks, and Bidvest Wits had been looking forward to adding this quality to their team.
Bailey went on to explain that the team was saddened by the loss as some players had previously played alongside Jantjie. He explained that it was not the first time one of their peers had died in this way. Another Free State Stars player to suffer a similar fate was striker Richard Henyekane, who was killed in a car accident in 2015.
Polokwane City’s Mogau Tshehla, Maritzburg United’s Mlondi Dlamini and Mondli Cele are among the Premier League soccer players who died in car accidents over the past three years.
According to Soccer Laduma, Jantjie had made 23 appearances and scored four goals in all competitions with Free State Stars this season.
Bailey said the player would be honoured with a moment of silence during all league matches this week.
FEATURED IMAGE: Sinethemba Jantjie, a soccer player who had a pre-contract with Bidvest Wits, originally played for the Free State Stars.
Photo: Provided
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