Update: 30 May 2014, 10:45am –
The African National Congress Youth League has joined the nation in expressing sadness at the untimely death of Isaac ‘Shakes’ Kungoane.
Kungoane whose death has been reported widely, died of diabetes related complications on 28 May. He is survived by his wife and three children.
In a press statement passing condolences to his family and friends, the league said they were deeply saddened by the departure of a great man of South African sportsmanship whose creativity with a soccer-ball would be dearly missed.
“We call on fellow young people to learn from the legacy that Isaac ‘Shakes’ Kungoane leaves left behind. We call on the youth to choose healthy life-styles and sports and urge everyone of us to excel in what we do like he did with soccer.”
Also, the league passed condolences to the soccer fraternity specially teams that he played for – Kaizer Chiefs, Jomo Cosmos, Pretoria City (now Super Sport United) and Manning Rangers.
In addition they thanked fans and football management teams which supported him during his playing career asking them to accord the same support to the current crop of talented soccer players. Kugoane’s funeral arrangements are still yet to be announced by his family.
Initial report: 29 May 2014, 2:30 pm – Iassac ‘Shakes’ Kungoane (43) who was born in Alexandra and educated at Alex High School died yesterday after a short illness.
He retired from the professional ranks in 2002 following an illustrious football career playing for Kaizer Chiefs, Jomo Cosmos and Manning Rangers and at one time was assistant coach for Mpumalanga Black Aces.
His soccer career was nurtured locally from an early age at several teams including Happy Hearts, Blackpool, Form Stars which later became Milano.
According to Maisha Molepo, chairperson of the Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association, he was truly committed to the development of local soccer and started his own academy from which professional teams spotted several talented players.
He was also actively involved with the association as an indication of his dedication to uplifting standards in the field and boardroom. At the time of his death, he was a soccer analyst at SuperSport.
Kungoane is survived by his wife and mother. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family at a later date.
