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South African Soccer Captain Shot Dead


Republic of South Africa
Republic of South Africa

The captain and goalkeeper of South Africa's national soccer team has been shot dead at a home near Johannesburg.

Twenty-seven-year-old Senzo Meyiwa was gunned down after two men entered the house in Vosloorus township where he was staying. Another accomplice waited outside.

All three fled after Meyiwa was shot. Other people in the house at the time were unharmed.

Local media said it was an attempted burglary but this was not confirmed by police.

FILE - Senzo Meyiwa is seen during a match at Orlando Stadium in Soweto Nov. 2, 2013.
FILE - Senzo Meyiwa is seen during a match at Orlando Stadium in Soweto Nov. 2, 2013.

Meyiwa captained the national team in its last four qualifying matches for the 2015 African Cup of Nations. He was also the goalkeeper and captain for the South African football club the Orlando Pirates.

Meyiwa played his last match Saturday, leading the Pirates to a 4-1 victory in the South African League Cup qualifier.

A $14,000 reward has been offered for information leading to arrests in the case.

This is the second tragedy to hit South African sports in three days. On Friday, 2009 world 800-meters athletics champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi died in a car crash.

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