South Africa and Bafana Bafana legend, Phil Masinga famously known as Big Phil, has died, after years of battling with cancer, at the young age of 49.
Phil Masinga had been fighting cancer and was admitted to hospital before Christmas. His death was confirmed by South African media FA today.
Chippa as Phil Masinga was popularly known in football circles, died of a cancer related disease at a Johannesburg hospital on Sunday, (13 January 2019) morning..
Phil Masinga was admitted in Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp two months ago before he was transferred to a Johannesburg hospital last month where he was diagnosed with cancer.
SAFA President, Jordaan shocked by the news, said:
“We have lost a giant of South African Football, this is a sad day for our football,”
According to a report by South African FA, the SAFA President visited Masinga with his SAFA National Executive Committee last Sunday (6 January 2019) before flying out to Dakar, Senegal and said he didn’t look too well but didn’t expect him to ‘leave us so soon.” he said:
“I am really gutted. I saw him last Sunday before I flew to Dakar and although he was not feeling well, he was in good spirits and I promised to visit him again sometime this week and now our hero is gone,”
“Phil Masinga was a loyal servant of the game, on and off the field of play. His goal against Congo which took us (South Africa) to our first World Cup in France in 1998, is still the most celebrated goal in the country to date,” he said.
The SAFA President said Masinga was an active member of the South African Masters & Legends an affiliate of SAFA adding Chippa never missed any of SAFA meetings.
The late Masinga was born on 28 June 1969 in Klerksdorp in the North West and played among other clubs Jomo Cosmos, Leeds United in England together with Lucas Radebe, Saint Galliens in Switzerland, FC Bari in Italy and Salernitana.
Leeds United tweeted soon after the passing on of the football legend: “It is with great sadness that the club has learnt of former striker Phil Masinga’s passing. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family and friends.”
CAF deputy secretary general, Anthony Baffoe wrote: “We have lost another hero in Phil Masinga. May his soul rest in peace.