‘Dumitru was a true giant of SA football’ – Jordaan

Ted Dumitru (76), former Bafana Bafana coach died this morning.

Reports are he collapsed at the Eastgate shopping centre.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) joined millions of South Africans in mourning the Dumitru’s death.

“The Romania-born Dumitru passed away after collapsing at a shopping mall in Johannesburg.

“The paramedics tried to resuscitate him but to no avail. He was 76,” a statement issued by SAFA reads.

SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan said Ted Dumitru was a ‘true giant’ of South African football.

Dumitru started his coaching career back in his native Romania in 1964 with a club called Universitatea Craiova. Locally he has coached all the big guns of South African Football – Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.

In the process he won many trophies – the league title, MTN 8, Nedbank Cup, Telkom Charity Cup, Rothmans Cup and the Telkom Knockout.

He has also been at helm of several national teams; South Africa, Swaziland, Namibia and Zambia.