Sinethemba Jantjie
Sinethemba Jantjie (15 February 1989 – 1 April 2019) was a South African professional footballer who played for Mbombela United and Free State Stars as a winger.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 15 February 1989 | ||
Date of death | 1 April 2019 30) | (aged||
Place of death | Bethlehem, South Africa | ||
Position(s) | Winger | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2015–2016 | Mbombela United | 12 | (3) |
2016–2019 | Free State Stars | 63 | (8) |
Total | 75 | (11) | |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only |
Early and personal life
Jantjie came from Whittlesea.[1]
Career
Jantjie was described as a "late bloomer who rose to prominence in the 2015/16 season with Mbombela United when he helped take the club close to promotion to the Premier League".[1] During that season he scored 3 goals in 12 league games.[2] He then moved to Free State Stars for the 2016–17 season,[1] scoring 8 goals in 63 league games during his 3 seasons with the club.[2] He was due to sign for Bidvest Wits ahead of the 2019–20 season.[1] Following his death, Bidvest Wits declared his contract "null and void".[3]
Death
Jantjie died in a road accident in Bethlehem on 1 April 2019, aged 30.[1] He was buried on 6 April 2019.[3] At his funeral the Free State Stars players said they would dedicate the remaining games to Jantjie's memory.[4][5]
Following his death, Free State Stars' next match was postponed for his funeral,[6] whilst the PSL said their forthcoming fixtures would observe a minute's silence.[7]
References
- Nick Said and Tiyani Wa Ka Mabasa (1 April 2019). "PSL star Sinethemba Jantjie killed in car accident, Free State Stars confirm". Times Live. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- Sinethemba Jantjie at Soccerway. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
- Khaya Ndubane (12 April 2019). "Wits declare Jantjie's contract 'null and void'". Citizen. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
- Tiyani Wa Ka Mabasa (11 April 2019). "Free State Stars out to turn tragedy into triumph". Sowetan Live. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
- Pedro Mapelo (7 April 2019). "Free State Stars captain vows to dedicate all remaining games to Sinethemba Jantjie". IOL. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
- Mark Gleeson (3 April 2019). "Free State Stars game postponed for Sinethemba Jantjie funeral". Times Live. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
- "PSL to observe moment of silence for Sinethemba Jantjie". Sports24. 1 April 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2019.