Former Chiefs winger Maselesele passes away at just 41

Former Kaizer Chiefs star Lucky Maselesele has passed away, according to reports that came through on Friday evening.

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Soccer Laduma were the first to report on the 41 year-old’s death, with the circumstances around his passing as yet unknown.

“I can confirm the sad news, but at the moment I request that we be given time to come to terms with what has happened. I am at his home as I speak, but please understand, I won’t make any further comment on the matter,” Isaac Mabotsa, a former teammate of Maselesele’s at Chiefs, told Laduma.

Maselesele, a skilful winger, came through the Transnet School of Excellence and signed his first professional contract with Kaizer Chiefs in the 1997/8 season, having been part of the South African Under-20 squad that played in the Fifa Under-20 World Cup finals in 1997.

Chiefs signed him after Maselesele had been given a three month trial by Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.

Maselesele didn’t play a lot for Chiefs’ senior team, but is well-remembered for netting the winners against Orlando Pirates in both the 2000 Vodacom Challenge final, and the 2002 Telkom Charity Cup semifinals

He had a rather nomadic career, the low point coming in 2009, when Maselesele tested positive for cocaine and was suspended by the Premier Soccer League and Maritzburg United.