Lesley Phuti Manyathela was a South African professional soccer player who played as a striker for Premier Soccer League club Orlando Pirates and the South African national team.
10 Facts About Lesley Manyathela
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Lesley Manyathela ultimately made 73 appearances for the club and scored 48 goals.
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Lesley Manyathela represented South Africa at under-20 level, where he scored once in five appearances, and at under-23 level where he scored six goals in 13 appearances.
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Lesley Manyathela made his senior debut for South Africa against Saudi Arabia on 20 March 2002.
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Lesley Manyathela had scored 3 goals in 9 international appearances by the time of his demise.
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On 9 August 2003, following a match against Jomo Cosmos, Lesley Manyathela was killed in an accident after his car overturned on the N1 highway near his hometown of Musina.
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Lesley Manyathela was driving with a friend at the time of the accident, who suffered only minor injuries, Manyathela was pronounced dead at the scene and was en route to visit his mother for Women's Day celebrations.
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Lesley Manyathela's death was considered a national tragedy and drew comment from South African President Thabo Mbeki who offered his condolences to the family, friends and teammates of Manyathela.
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Lesley Manyathela was laid to rest on 16 August 2003 with Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza and Mamelodi Sundowns owner Patrice Motsepe among those acting as pallbearers.
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Lesley Manyathela's tombstone was unveiled the following month, on the day of South Africa's national Heritage Day.