MUSINA – The Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana star, Phuthi Lesley Manyathela, who died instantly when his vehicle overturned 28km from Musina two weeks ago, was finally laid to rest at the Musina Cemetery on Saturday.

Manyathela, who played for 90 minutes during the SAA Supa 8 clash against Jomo Cosmos on that day, was tragically killed when he lost control of his vehicle on a curve outside Musina. He was travelling with two friends, Benny Tlou and Daniel Tshikota, who escaped the incident with minor injuries. He was on his way to inform his mother, Gladys, the good news of a R17 million rand contract with a French first division club, Lille FC.

In his remarks, the Orlando Pirates Chairman, Mr Irvin Khoza, said that Lesley was a family-oriented young man, who never missed an opportunity to express his gratitude and love to his mother. "He called her every single day. I still remember when I met Lesley two weeks before his last game, when he told me that he wanted to build a house for his mother, but his plan was ruined by his untimely death. Only God knows why Lesley was destined to travel to Musina after the match," Khoza said.

Khoza also announced that Lesley' jersey number, 22, will not be used anymore at Orlando Pirates, as a sign of respect for the late upcoming star. The South African Football Association President, Mr Molefi Oliphant, said Manyathela would be remembered for his nine international caps with three goals, 13 Under 23 caps with seven goals, 14 Under 20 caps with eight goals and for his vital role in making sure that the country became the Five Nations under 23 tournament winner in 2002.

He supported Mr Khoza's statement of retiring the star's jersey from the team, and announced that jersey 19, that was worn by Manyathela for Bafana Bafana, will not be used until after the 2006 World Cup.

The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Mr Ngconde Balfour, said Lesley's death is a great loss, and to repair it will not be easy. "His tragic death left us with pain, deep pain, grief and anguish, but his humanity must be a mark to us, as whatever he achieved, he would share with others." Adv Ngoako Ramatlhodi, Premier of the Limpopo Province, announced that the Nancefield Stadium will be named after Lesley Manyathela.

According to the Black Leopards' and former under 23 defender, Nkhiphitheni Matombo, it would be difficult for Orlando Pirates to continue after the death of their star striker. "Every team that clashes with Pirates was always having a problem of containing Manyathela, and that is a great loss to Pirates and Bafana Bafana and it would be difficult to replace him.

Manyathela, who was born in 1981, was going to turn 22 on September 4. He is survived by his two children, Kwena and four-month-old Ofentse, his fiancé Martha Msukwini 24, two brothers, a sister, and his parents Frans and Gladys Manyathela.