Football
PA Sport 9y

South Africa international goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa shot dead

South Africa international goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa has died, his club Orlando Pirates have announced.

The cause of the 27-year-old's death was not given by the club, but the South African Police Service (SAPS) said that he had been shot in Vosloorus, a town 20 miles south of Johannesburg on Sunday.

A tweet from the SAPS read: "We have to brake (sic) normal protocol. We can confirm that Bucs keeper Senzo Meyiwa has been shot and sadly declared dead on arrival at hospital.''

The Pirates, for who Meyiwa played on Saturday, then said: "The @Orlando_Pirates family has learned with sadness of the untimely death of our number 1 keeper & captain Senzo Meyiwa.''

Club chairman Dr Irvin Khoza added: "This is a sad loss to Senzo's family especially his children, to Orlando Pirates & the nation.''

Having made his debut for Orlando in 2005, Meyiwa had made his mark for the South African national team in 2014, captaining the side in their last four qualifiers for the African Nations Cup.

International teammate Dean Furman reacted to the news on Twitter, with the Doncaster player saying: "Beyond devastated at the loss of our captain & friend Senzo Meyiwa. thoughts & prayers are with his family & friends at this terrible time.''

Orlando Pirates are to give a press conference on Monday to react further to the news.

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