Sudden death saddens

The South African football fraternity is mourning the sudden death of former Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana striker Bennett Masinga. Masinga’s untimely death sadly came after a short illness late last week. The 48-year-old former dynamic and talented striker received stardom in Downs and nationally.

Affectionately known in football circles as Bennito, apart from playing for the Brazilians, Masinga also played for Umtata Bush Bucks, Manning Rangers and Santos during his career.

The football fraternity reacted with huge shock after hearing the news of Masinga’s death. Condolences flooded in for the Masinga family.

Bennito’s former teammate at Downs, Zane Moosa, expressed his shock: “Eish, what a sad way to start the weekend. The passing of Bennett ‘Loverboy’ Masinga, what a player! Robala ka kgosto Bennito,” stated Moosa on his Twitter handle.

Masinga made his Bafana debut alongside his cousin, Phil Masinga, in the national team’s third match since re-admission to international football during a friendly game against Cameroon back in 1992.

Phil stated that Bennito was his inspiration and idolised him, as he often followed him around as a youngster.

“I carried his boots just to see him play. All I wanted was to be as good at football as he was. There is no doubt he was a better player than me,” said Masinga.

Bennito represented the national team on five occasions between 1992 and 1993. Both cousins were on the scoresheet for Bafana at the FNB Stadium in a 2-2 draw against Cameroon.

The lethal striker, as Masinga was often described by his fellow teammates, was part of the famous Sundowns squad that tormented their opponents with their branded ‘shoeshine and piano’ style of football.

Masinga will be laid to rest in Klerksdorp on Thursday morning.

noweto@rekord.co.za