4 September 2017 – The last week will go down in football history as one of those very troubling weeks:

We were reminded about the birthday of Senzo Meyiwa coming in September and how he was brutally gunned down in the prime of his life 3 years ago.

Then on Wednesday, we were shocked by the news that a football orator and former SAFA Appeals Board member, Mzimasi Mgebisa, had passed away.

As if that was not enough, we found out that the funeral of the very energetic Mr Razzmatazz’s mother would be held in Bloemfontein on Saturday. We simply had to be there to pay tribute to a mother who raised a leader like our former Minister of Sport & Recreation

Then, on Friday morning, when I thought that my week was just too much to handle with all the sad news, another  shock slapped me in the face when I opened our Instagram page and this gentle giant of a man’s face was the first to show up.

Indeed, Alex was a gentle giant.

He was a lovable giant.

He was a jovial giant.

He was a humble giant.

But, he was a strong giant.

He was a skillful giant.

And above all, he was a smiling giant.

He was the last person in the world I would have expected to pass away. Not only was he big in stature, I remember him as someone who religiously took care of his health. You could see it in the shine on his face.

That is how I remember Alex from the days that I first met him, to the time I worked with him as the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper coach.

My reaction to the news was the same as everyone else’s in SAFA House: shock and disbelief was the only reaction that I saw.

SAFA is saddened by the passing of Alex because of the man he was and the commitment and passion that he brought to his profession.

I am sure that every goalkeeper that he coached will have the same to say about him: he enriched all our lives by the knowledge that he brought to his game. He was a professor in his approach, lecturing and demonstrating with those thunderous kicks of his just how to become the best goalkeeper you could possibly be.

So, there is no doubt in my mind when I say that South African football would be so much poorer from his absence and his passing will be sorely missed.

It is a big blow to South African football.

Whether he coached at Amazulu, Golden Arrows, Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs or Bafana Bafana, he was always the same humble person, always respectful, always smiling, always greeting everyone in sight.

He was playful at times, but never lowered his standards.

So, to the Revoredo family, to the Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Amazulu and Golden Arrows families, SAFA extends its most heartfelt condolences to you during this very sad time.

And may you take comfort from Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

And from Ecclesiastes 12:7 “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”

Alex has been called to serve a higher purpose up in heaven.

May his dear departed soul rest in eternal peace!

Thank you

Mr Dennis A. MUMBLE

Chief Executive Officer

South African Football Association