THE MEMORIAL service for Bafana Bafana assistant coach and former midfielder Thomas Madigage will be held at the Saulsville Arena, Malebye Street, Atteridgeville, on Friday. It starts at 10am.

There will also be a park- and-ride arrangement with buses leaving from Lucas Moripe Stadium for the arena for those wishing to attend.

Madigage, who was the first South African player to turn professional at the age of 16 after he was signed by Jomo Cosmos, died in a car accident between Polokwane and Burgersfort on Thursday last week. He had gone back to his roots in Driekop, Ga-Sekhukhune, to negotiate for the establishment of a soccer academy and bringing Italian giants Inter Milan to South Africa with the local municipality.

Meanwhile, condolences are continuing to pour in for Madigage. Known for his trademark Zion Christian Church hat, Madigage was nicknamed Chincha Guluva because his style of play reminded many people of the young Kaizer Motaung. Gauteng sport MEC Lebogang Maile said: "I met Thomas in Sandton prior to leaving for Poland with Bafana Bafana. He told me about his plans to start an academy and also to organise a big tournament.

"We agreed that we would meet when Bafana Bafana got back from Kenya."

Former Bafana Bafana coach and Mamelodi Sundowns technical adviser Trott Moloto said: "I taught Tommy Sepedi (Northern Sotho) and mathematics after Jomo (Sono) brought him to Phefeni High School.

"Tommy was in the same class with the late Brenda Fassie. He was a very bright student."

Another former Bafana Bafana coach, Stanley "Screamer" Tshabalala, described the death of Madigage as a huge loss for South African soccer.

"He was down to earth, very genuine. Tommy was so passionate about South African soccer, he wanted to see Bafana Bafana winning the 2013 Afcon finals, qualifying and doing well during the 2014 Fifa World Cup. It would be great for Bafana Bafana to win the Afcon in honour of Tommy," said Tshabalala.

Madigage will be buried in Driekop on Sunday.