The South African Football Association (SAFA) has sent condolences to the family of the late Maritzburg United player, Mondli Cele.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has sent condolences to the family of the late Maritzburg United player, Mondli Cele.

Cele passed away in the early hours of Sunday, 17 January 2015 in a car accident.

A few hours earlier, Cele had scored his team’s first goal in the 3-3 Absa Premiership draw with Orlando Pirates at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Maritzburg on Saturday, 16 January.

“The South African Football Association would like to convey their heartfelt condolences to the family of Cele, his friends and relatives, his club Maritzburg United and the entire football family. May they all find strength during these hard and trying times. May his soul rest in peace,” said SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan.

“It is always sad when the story of a sportsman ends in this fashion, what is even sadder is that this is becoming more common among our footballers. We need to come up with solutions so that we don’t lose many more players in this way.

“Not so long ago, we lost a talented Cecil Lolo of Ajax Cape Town, before him was Richard Henyekane and many before – the likes of Gift Leremi, Lesley Manyathela, Thomas Madigage just to mention a few. We really need to do something about this scourge that is taking away talented players and depriving us of their on-the-field exploits.”

Cele, who also scored for his club in the 2-all draw against Supersport United last week, was 27.