Fernando Paulos Matola (25), the Black Leopards defender, was buried in the capital city of Mozambique, Maputo, on Saturday.

The Mozambican international died a tragic death when he lost control of his green VW Citi Golf before the vehicle overturned and hit nearby trees and ultimately caught fire. The horrific accident took place along the Tzaneen-Lydenburg road about two weeks ago. Matola was in the company of his wife Sheila (26), his daughter, Pala (5) and his eight-month-old son, Fernando Junior, when the accident took place.

The whole family was burnt beyond recognition in the accident. It was the reason their bodies lay unrecognized in a mortuary in Tzaneen for three solid days, until a close family member identified them last Wednesday.

Matola was on his way to Mozambique where he was expected to join the rest of his national team players in their preparations for their African Cup of Nations match against Tanzania. The match, which the grieving Mozambicans won 1-0, was played at the Dar Es Salam Stadium in Tanzania last Sunday.

The Leopards’ brand manager, Tshifhiwa Thidiela, described the death of Matola as a great loss to the club. According to Thidiela, Matola was a father figure in the team because of the huge respect he was commanding among his fellow players.

"As a senior player, it is obvious that the coach’s plans were revolving around him and for that reason it will not be easy for us as the club to get a player of Matola’s caliber," said Thidiela.

The soft-spoken Matola started his professional football career with the Mozambican side, Costa do Sol, in 1998. He joined the Thohoyandou outfit in 2003. Matola was nominated the players’ player of the season two seasons in succession during his stay with Black Leopards.

Coincidentally, Matola died a day after the death of the Mamelodi Sundowns gifted star, Gift Leremi, who was also killed in a car accident. Leremi was buried on Monday this week.

A memorial service for Matola was held at the Calvary Christian Church in Lwamondo, west of Thohoyandou, yesterday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Premier Soccer League has confirmed the postponement of the Black Leopards and Free State Stars fixture which was scheduled for Sunday at the Goble Park Stadium in Bethlehem on Sunday. The match will now be played at the same venue next Wednesday, September 19.