Soweto derby postponed in honour of Senzo Meyiwa

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has confirmed the postponement of this weekend’s Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs following the tragic death of goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.

PSL CEO Brand de Villiers said: "We can confirm that the derby (between Pirates and Chiefs) has been postponed out of respect for Senzo Meyiwa."

Chairman Dr Irvin Khoza had also  earlier called for the postponement of the derby.

“We wrote a letter to PSL and Safa this morning, with a plea to request postponement of match with Kaizer Chiefs,” said Khoza at a media briefing at the Rand Stadium in Johannesburg.

“We feel that as administrators of football it would be insensitive of us to continue with this game. Shortly after this press conference I will be leaving for Durban to be with the family (of Senzo Meyiwa.)

“I spoke to my colleague Chiefs’chairman Kaizer Motaung this morning before sending this letter and he concurred with me.

"I spoke to my colleague Mr Kaizer Motaung this morning before sending this letter. He concurred with me"

Meyiwa's Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba said: "We are going to miss Senzo. We are going to miss him a lot.  Senzo was a team player."

"We can only hope that where he is going he is doing the same. To those staying behind hope that you have copied from him. He carried the team through the AFCON Cup. I don't know why there was some doubts he was the best goalkeeper," said Mashaba.

The governing body of local football, Safa, has also expressed shock and disbelief at the passing away of the 27 year-old Bafana Bafana captain.

 “We are shocked and devastated by the tragic news of South Africa’s current number one goalkeeper and captain of Bafana Bafana. Here was a man who was an integral part of the revolution of our beloved national team under Shakes Mashaba. For him to leave is like this is shocking. As an Association we expected so much from him, the nation had pinned their hopes on him following brilliant displays in the Bafana Bafana jersey, more so in the recent AFCON matches where kept a clean sheet in all four games. We will surely miss him,” said Safa President Dr Danny Jordaan.