Soccer players mourn Senzo Meyiwa

Several soccer players have expressed their shock and sorrow at the passing of soccer star Senzo Meyiwa.

Iker Casillas posted that he is "Very saddened by the tragic loss of a fellow DEP Senzo" on Instagram with a picture of the Bafana goalkeeper with a swapped shirt of himself.

According to Soccer Laduma, Casillas was Meyiwa’s role model, and the two had swapped shirts when La Roja, the then World Cup champions, played South Africa in 2013.

ENCA interviewed Stanton Fredericks, who played alongside Senzo Meyiwa at Orlando Pirates. about the soccer star's, death, and his memories of his story.

"The first thing I heard was that Senzo was missing, and it was like a spear through me," Fredericks said.

He went on to detail Senzo's, career, saying "You know the person on the screen, and you see the goal keeper, but the person himself off the field?

"One of the fondest moments that I have is being a youngster I was one of the senior players back then and Senzo would get in my car and he would sit in there and say "Stigga can I drive your car just to be washed? How to I look?" You know, so that young vibrant guy has been lost to football and South Africa."

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard tweeted: "RIP Senzo Meyiwa, the South African captain who was tragically shot dead... My prayers go to his family YNWA!!".

The Daily Mail reports that Pirates Chairman Dr Irvin Khosa also expressed sorrow at the player's passing, saying "This is a sad loss to Senzo's family especially his children, to Orlando Pirates & the nation."

Dean Furman, one of Meyiwa's Bafana Bafana team mates, tweeted "Beyond devastated at the loss of our captain and friend Senzo Meyiwa. Thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this terrible time."

Andile Jali was quoted by the paper as saying "Just got a call and I was sleeping but now I can't sleep."

"Sad to hear about the passing of the Bafana Bafana Goal Keeper and Captain Senzo Meyiwa. My prayers are with his family and the team," Former national manager Stephen Keshi said.

The Mirror reported that team mate Tsepo Masilela tweeted, “How do you kill someone for a cellphone?”

Meanwhile Belgian-based goalkeeper Darren Keet, who was  Meyiwa understudy for four internationals, tweeted: “When does it STOP South Africa?”

According to the Independent Former Tottenham and Portsmouth midfielder and Ghana international Kevin Prince Boateng tweeted, "TRAGEDY!!!! RIP Senzo Meyiwa. My condolences to his family and friends."

Meyiwa sacrificed his life to protect his lover and mother of his daughter singer Kelly Khumalo on Sunday, Sapa reported.

Speaking at the scene of the crime in Vooslorus on the East Rand, Gauteng Community Safety MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malubane said there were two suspects who were involved in the shooting.

"Two guys entered the house and demanded cellphones, money and other valuables. Senzo tried to protect Kelly because one of the men had a gun pointed towards her.”

There is apparently a R150,000 reward for information that could point to his killers.