Sinethemba Jantjie Explained

Sinethemba Jantjie
Birth Date:15 February 1989
Death Place:Bethlehem, South Africa
Position:Winger
Years1:2015–2016
Clubs1:Mbombela United
Caps1:12
Goals1:3
Years2:2016–2019
Clubs2:Free State Stars
Caps2:63
Goals2:8
Totalcaps:75
Totalgoals:11

Sinethemba Jantjie (15 February 1989 – 1 April 2019) was a South African professional footballer who played for Mbombela United and Free State Stars as a winger.

Early and personal life

Jantjie came from Whittlesea.

Career

Jantjie was described as a "late bloomer who rose to prominence in the 2015/16 season with Mbombela United when he helped take the club close to promotion to the Premier League". During that season he scored 3 goals in 12 league games. He then moved to Free State Stars for the 2016–17 season, scoring 8 goals in 63 league games during his 3 seasons with the club. He was due to sign for Bidvest Wits ahead of the 2019–20 season. Following his death, Bidvest Wits declared his contract "null and void".[1]

Death

Jantjie died in a road accident in Bethlehem on 1 April 2019, aged 30.[2] He was buried on 6 April 2019.[1] At his funeral the Free State Stars players said they would dedicate the remaining games to Jantjie's memory.[3] [4]

Following his death, Free State Stars' next match was postponed for his funeral,[5] whilst the PSL said their forthcoming fixtures would observe a minute's silence.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wits declare Jantjie's contract 'null and void'. 12 April 2019. 12 April 2019. Khaya Ndubane. Citizen.
  2. Web site: PSL star Sinethemba Jantjie killed in car accident, Free State Stars confirm. 1 April 2019. 10 April 2019. Nick Said and Tiyani Wa Ka Mabasa. Times Live.
  3. Web site: Free State Stars out to turn tragedy into triumph. 11 April 2019. 12 April 2019. Tiyani Wa Ka Mabasa. Sowetan Live.
  4. Web site: Free State Stars captain vows to dedicate all remaining games to Sinethemba Jantjie. 7 April 2019. 12 April 2019. Pedro Mapelo. IOL.
  5. Web site: Free State Stars game postponed for Sinethemba Jantjie funeral. 3 April 2019. 12 April 2019. Mark Gleeson. Times Live.
  6. Web site: PSL to observe moment of silence for Sinethemba Jantjie. 1 April 2019. 12 April 2019. Sports24.