Pretoria - Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula says South African football is poorer without former Bafana Bafana coach Ted Dumitru who has passed away.
Dumitru passed away on Thursday after collapsing at a mall in Johannesburg.
Minister Mbalula said he learnt with sadness the passing of Dumitru who coached Bafana Bafana and some Premier Soccer League (PSL) football clubs.
“Ted spent his best years developing and nurturing some of our best football stars. He leaves a rich legacy of football talent; it is without a doubt that Ted has an indelible mark in the history of sport in South Africa,” said Minister Mbalula on Friday.
The former coach’s record spans from winning titles for PSL clubs to leading and coaching Bafana Bafana at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.
“He may be gone, but his legacy will live on through the sportsmen and women whose careers he shaped and mentored by his exemplary display of excellence. His name will be engraved in our brightest stars. South African football is poorer with him gone,” said Minister Mbalula.
Minister Mbalula extended his condolences to the family and friends of Dumitru.
“May they find solace in knowing their loss is shared by all football loving South Africans and the entire sporting fraternity.” – SAnews.gov.za
