South Africa’s World Cup star Anele Ngcongca has sadly been killed in a car crash at the age of 33 years old, it’s been confirmed.
The former international, who once had a trial at English Premier League club Arsenal when 19 years old, has died in a car accident on Monday, according to the country’s IPSS Medical Rescue service.
In a statement on their website, IPSS Medical Rescue said it responded to a single vehicle roll-over on the N2 highway near Mtunzini in South Africa.
WATCH: The car in which Anele Ngcongca lost his life is taken away in a roll-back truck in Kwa-Natal. The former Mamelodi Sundowns star lost his life on Monday morning on the N2 Highway in Mthunzini North. @duke_robin is at the place of the scene. pic.twitter.com/HriZ34sPjk
— Daily Sun (@dailysunsa) November 23, 2020
“On arrival of IPSS advanced life support paramedics, they found an adult male lying approximately 30m from the wrecked vehicle. The man showed no signs of life and was declared dead by paramedics,” said the statement.
According to the IPSS, a female driver was trapped in the wreckage having sustained “critical injuries” but was freed and quickly taken to hospital.
Ngcongca had been playing for AmaZulu on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns to AmaZulu, and both sides from the top tier of South African football, paid tribute to the defender following the accident.
“AmaZulu FC and Mamelodi Sundowns FC extend their deepest condolences to the Ngcongca family, former clubs, teammates, supporters, and the broader football fraternity as well as everyone who was touched by the life of this exceptional football ambassador,” said a joint statement from the two clubs.
Ngcongca helped the Sundowns win a domestic treble last season, represented the South African national team more than 50 times including at the 2010 World Cup on home soil.
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“This 2020 has been a terrible year; economically, socially and we have lost many of our beloved ones,” said South African Football Association President Danny Jordaan.
“Anele’s death just sums up this dreadful year.”
Ngcongca also spent much of his playing career with Belgian side KRC Genk, for whom he made 279 appearances.
“We heard the tragic news about Genkie Anele Ngcongca,” said a statement from the club posted online.
“Our thoughts are with family and friends of our South African ex-player. RIP Anele.”
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois wrote a heartfelt message for his former teammate Anele Ngcongca after hearing about the South African defender’s passing, while Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne also reacted to the tragic news.
“Sad to hear former Genkie Anele is no longer with us,” Courtois wrote on Twitter after discovering the former World Cup star was killed.
“Being one of the most enthusiastic players I have ever met, I’ll always remember your smile and will carry your positive mindset with me. We’ll miss you deeply, my friend.
“My thoughts go out to your family.”
Courtois and Ngcongca shared the pitch during their time together at Genk, while De Bruyne – another former teammate of the Bafana defender – sent his condolences via Instagram stories.
PLAYING CAREER:
Youth career
Aces United
FC Fortune
Senior career
2003–2007 – FC Fortune – 60 games (5 goals)
2007–2016 – Genk – 223 games (8 goals)
2015–2016 → Troyes (loan) – 20 games (0 goals)
2016–2020 – Mamelodi Sundowns – 42 games (1 goal)
2020 → AmaZulu (loan) – 0 games (0 goals)
National team
2009–2016 – South Africa – 53 games (0 goals)
Fans reacted after seeing that the South Africa’s World Cup star was killed in a car crash at age 33 years old…
Absolutely tragic news that former Genk, Sundowns and #Bafana defender, Anele Ngcongca, has passed away after a car accident in the early hours of this morning… Devastating.
Another South African footballer taken too soon on the roads. A depressingly regular occurrence. RIP. pic.twitter.com/ngjaaDX5nZ
— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) November 23, 2020
Really heartbroken this morning.
— Kofi Asiedu (@KofiAsiedu_) November 23, 2020
Rest Easy Mr Ngcongca🕯
— Rams Oscar Bryce (@RamsBryce) November 23, 2020
The late Anele Ngcongca with young Kevin De Bryune at Genk in Belgium where he played between 2007 to 2016. He played with the best. RIP pic.twitter.com/sWaGgK2bdl
— Thohoyandou 🇿🇦 🇧🇼 (@AlbaMokopane) November 23, 2020
Anele Ngcongca played with some top players 🙏🏽
RIP 🙏🏽🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/18ISG1POCz
— Chace 🇿🇦 (@Mr360Sport) November 23, 2020
Really sad to hear this news. I interviewed Anele Ngcongca several times and he was a great guy. Gone far too soon https://t.co/UkbNnHIbq5
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) November 23, 2020
Ngcogca was actually a winger as a teenager, he attended trials at Arsenal, where Arsene Wenger told him he was more suited at Right back, he made the switch and never looked back. Rest in Peace Anele Ngcogca.
— Sandile Mavuso (@SandileMachaka) November 23, 2020
RIP Anele…been a pleasure to follow your career from the times of your trials at Arsenal right up til when you joined Sandawana…rest easy king #AneleNgcongca
— Siyanda Nkomo (@memphis9000) November 23, 2020
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