Civics Football Club (FC) is mourning the death of former player Lucky Maselesele, who was beaten to death in South Africa last week.
Although details surrounding his death are still not clear, it is alleged the former Civics and Kaizer Chiefs striker was accused of stealing electric cables, which led to him being attacked by community members in Alexandra, Johannesburg. He was 41.
Civics chairman Donelly Nell, who played with Maselesele at Civics during the 2010-2011 season, described him as a calm and composed individual, who was always cracking jokes in the dressing room.
He said Maselesele scored a goal that got them out of relegation that year.
“It came as a shock when I learned that he had passed on, and I got the information through Facebook. He was a good and calm person, and we were close friends during his time at Civics. He always came to me for advice and I would do the same as well. We were in touch even when he had left the team to go back to his native country,” said Nell.
“He was a funny guy, always advising young players on what to do as a player. He was scared of relegation and I remember he scored that only goal that saved us from getting relegated,” he recalled.
Tigers FC coach Ali Akan, who worked with Maselesele at FC AK – a South African football club from the West Rand in South Africa – and Khomasdal outfit Civics, said he was shocked when he learned about the sudden death of the striker. He described the former player as good and respectful during their time together.
“It’s sad news. He was a very hardworking and passionate guy. I brought him here to Namibia because he was so close to me. He was more like my own child. When he failed to get registered in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in South Africa, I decided to bring him here,” Akan told New Era Sport.
Maselesele played for Civics for about six months in 2011, after he was slapped with a two-year ban by the PSL when he tested positive for cocaine after playing for Maritzburg United against Wits in November 2008.
He also played for Kaizer Chiefs between 1998 and 2004.
- Additional information by Kick-Off.com
- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na