FORMER South African Football Association president Molefi Oliphant has described the death of former Bafana Bafana defender Jeffrey Ntuka as a big loss to the beautiful game.
"I have known Jeffrey since he was a youngster at the Transnet Football School of Excellence," said Oliphant.
"When I heard about his death on Saturday morning, I said what a waste of talent," said Oliphant, who is currently in Equatorial Guinea for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Safa head of academies Steve Pila was equally devastated by Ntuka's death.
"Jeffrey came to the School of Excellence when I was still in charge. He was a bright young man who had a dream to become a top soccer superstar.
"It's unfortunate that it only took a knife to bring that dream to an end."
Ntuka was signed by English Premiership side Chelsea in 2002 along with Masilo Modubi and BoyBoy Mosia. They were loaned out to Belgian side Westerlo.
The Gauteng provincial government has also sent its condolences to the Ntuka family.
Free State Stars coach Steve Komphela, who recommended Ntuka to Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter in 2004, said: "I tried to be of support to Jeffrey. There are a lot of lessons to be learnt here and as a society we need to come in and help our soccer players. "Condolences to the family."
Funeral arrangements have not been finalised. Police were yesterday expected to make an arrest in this case.
Knife ends Ntuka's dream
FORMER South African Football Association president Molefi Oliphant has described the death of former Bafana Bafana defender Jeffrey Ntuka as a big loss to the beautiful game.
"I have known Jeffrey since he was a youngster at the Transnet Football School of Excellence," said Oliphant.
"When I heard about his death on Saturday morning, I said what a waste of talent," said Oliphant, who is currently in Equatorial Guinea for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Safa head of academies Steve Pila was equally devastated by Ntuka's death.
"Jeffrey came to the School of Excellence when I was still in charge. He was a bright young man who had a dream to become a top soccer superstar.
"It's unfortunate that it only took a knife to bring that dream to an end."
Ntuka was signed by English Premiership side Chelsea in 2002 along with Masilo Modubi and BoyBoy Mosia. They were loaned out to Belgian side Westerlo.
The Gauteng provincial government has also sent its condolences to the Ntuka family.
Free State Stars coach Steve Komphela, who recommended Ntuka to Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter in 2004, said: "I tried to be of support to Jeffrey. There are a lot of lessons to be learnt here and as a society we need to come in and help our soccer players. "Condolences to the family."
Funeral arrangements have not been finalised. Police were yesterday expected to make an arrest in this case.
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