Gone Too Soon: 10 South African Soccer Stars Who Died in Car Accidents

Car accidents have claimed the lives of several talented South African soccer players over the years. These athletes, who represented their clubs and country with pride, left behind a void in the football community. This article highlights 10 such players who tragically passed away in car accidents, listed in ascending order of their death dates.

South African Soccer Stars Who Died in Car Accidents

1. Lesley ‘Slow Poison’ Manyathela (2003)

A prolific striker for Orlando Pirates and the national team, Manyathela died in a car accident on August 9, 2003, at the age of 21. His tragic death led to the renaming of the Premier Soccer League’s top goalscorer award to the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot.

2. Gift Leremi (2007)

Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Leremi died in a car accident on September 3, 2007, after losing control of his car in Brackensdowns, near Alberton. He was returning home from a Caf Confederation Cup game against Astres FC in Cameroon. At just 22 years old, Leremi had already won a league title with Pirates in 2002-03 and had a promising future ahead.

3. Thabang Lebese (2012)

The former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder died in a car accident on January 8, 2018, in Limpopo. Lebese was returning from a family gathering when the accident took place.

4. Cecil Lolo (2015)

Ajax Cape Town’s talented full-back Lolo tragically lost his life on October 25, 2015, in a head-on collision in Khayelitsha, at the age of 27. He had been part of the Urban Warriors’ squad during their near-title win in the 2010-11 PSL season and was becoming a regular in the team.

5. Mondli Cele (2016)

Maritzburg United midfielder Cele, 26, died in a car accident on January 17, 2016. His car veered off the road and crashed into the Duzi River in Pietermaritzburg. Cele, who had scored in a 3-3 draw against Orlando Pirates the previous night, was traveling with a woman who also died in the crash.

6. Richard Henyekane (2015)

Free State Stars striker Henyekane, 31, tragically died on April 7, 2015, after his car crashed into a truck at high speed and burst into flames. He had been traveling from a party in QwaQwa with friends and a teammate.

7. Anele Ngcongca (2020)

The 33-year-old right-back, who played for Mamelodi Sundowns and the national team, died in a car accident on November 23, 2020, in KwaZulu-Natal while returning from a loan deal to AmaZulu.

8. Papi Khomane (2023)

Former Orlando Pirates and Jomo Cosmos defender Khomane tragically died in a car crash on November 25, 2023, while traveling to Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. The accident also claimed the lives of his mother and brother-in-law.

9. Siyabonga Zulu (2025)

Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana defender Zulu died in a car accident on February 17, 2025, in Mpumalanga. He was traveling with his team, Phezulu FC, after a match.

10. Nhlanhla Masina (2025)

Masina, a teammate of Siyabonga Zulu at Phezulu FC, also lost his life in the same tragic car accident on February 17, 2025.

The untimely deaths of these soccer players remind us of the fragility of life and the dangers that exist on the roads. Their contributions to South African football will never be forgotten, and their tragic deaths have left an indelible mark on the hearts of their fans and the entire football community.

Also Read: RIP Siyabonga Zulu: Former Sundowns Star Dies in Horrific Car Crash