The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Football world mourns Masinga
The football world is mourning the death of former South Africa and Leeds Utd forward Phil Masinga. News of the 49-year-old’s death emerged on Sunday after he lost a battle with cancer.
Masinga, affectionately known as Chippa, also played for Italian sides Bari and Salernitana.
He is best remembered for scoring the goal that sent South Africa to its first ever World Cup, in 1998.
He is also well-known to English Premier League fans as one of the first African players to star in the league, when he signed for Leeds alongside former club captain Lucas Radebe in 1994.
Speaking to the BBC’s World Service, Radebe recalled the challenges in acclimatising to their new surroundings, two years after the first ever African player to play in the league, Zimbabwean Peter Ndovu, signed for Coventry City.
Radebe said the death was a “huge loss for the football fraternity”.
“We are mourning the loss of a great legend. For us as Africans, it was a great experience.
“We weren’t used to the weather and we struggled a little bit. We kept each other warm at times.
“Phil was a big hit with the team and the players. I looked up to him and he inspired me the most. It was absolutely great the way he adapted to the situation.
“He was easy to get along with and he was most respected at the club as a person.”
Masinga made his debut for South Africa in July 1992 against Cameroon in his country’s first match following their readmission to international football by Fifa after the end of apartheid.
He will best be remembered for his goal against Congo, which ensured his country qualified for their first World Cup appearance, in France in 1998.
South Africa’s Premier Soccer League held a moment of silence at all its matches on Sunday in honour of the former forward.
Bari also held a period of silence before their game against Sancataldese on Sunday.
Masinga made 31 league appearances for Leeds, scoring five goals.
The Elland Road side said:“The thoughts of everyone at LUFC are with his family and friends.”