Former clubs, friends and legends of the game have sent messages of support after hearing the sad news of Bafana Bafana legend Phil Masinga's passing on Sunday.
Read: Bafana Legend Masinga Passes Away
The 49-year-old sadly lost his fight against cancer on Sunday, as confirmed by Bafana's Twitter account.
"Sad day for South African football. A loyal servant of the game, on and off the field of play," SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan was quoted as saying on the same account.
Masinga was arguably most famous for his goal against the Republic of Congo that qualified South Africa for their first ever World Cup in 1998, and made 58 appearances for Bafana overall, scoring 18 times along the way.
He was part of the 1996 AFCON-winning team, and also played for clubs such as Jomo Cosmos, Mamelodi Sundowns, Leeds United, St. Gallen, Salernitana, Bari and Al-Wahda.
Leeds' Twitter account was among the first to send their condolences to Masinga's family and friends.
It is with great sadness that the club has learnt of former striker Phil Masinga’s passing. The thoughts of everyone at #LUFC are with his family and friends pic.twitter.com/d0H0EO8idl
— Leeds United (@LUFC) January 13, 2019
Other famous names in the international football fraternity, including Arsenal legend Ian Wright and former CAF African Footballer of the Year Kalusha Bwalya, among others, also mourned the Bafana legend's death.
Here are some of the messages:
Rest in Peace Phil. We'll never forget your goal that took South Africa to their first World Cup in 1998. A legend of South African football and loved by @LUFC and Sundowns fans around the world. #RIPPhilMasinga pic.twitter.com/622n0cE4Au
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) January 13, 2019
We have lost another hero-Phil Masinga just passed away-Rest well Phil..May your soul rest in perfect peace ???? pic.twitter.com/DlTNeJXDXw
— Anthony Baffoe ???????????? (@AnthonyBaffoe) January 13, 2019
My heart is deeply saddened by the loss of my former opponent, my gallant colleague and #Africanfootball legend #PhilMasinga #Gone2soon #RIPMasinga Rest In Peace my brother #Bafana
— Kalusha Bwalya (@KalushaPBwalya) January 13, 2019
The man whose goal secured South Africa’s qualification to France 1998, the country’s first #WorldCup.
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) January 13, 2019
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Phil Masinga who has passed away aged 49. pic.twitter.com/VLyfNK2eSy
Join Soccer Laduma in mourning the passing of one of our legends of the game, and leave your message for the late Phil Masinga in the comments section below.
