'Accept God's will'

2003-08-14 16:12

Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana head coach Ephraim Mashaba shook the congregation at the Standard Bank Arena during the Memorial Service for Lesley Manyathela on Thursday when he urged the mourners to hold hands and accept God's will.

"Let us pray and be one so as to help his family, friends and team-mates at Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana to be strong," said Mashaba.

Recalling how he received the call at 03:00 on Sunday about the sudden death of Manyathela, Mashaba said he was left "paralysed".

"It was not easy for me to accept that it was in fact the Lesley I knew. "He was booked into room 0191 at the Crowne Plaza for Bafana's preparatory team and it became difficult for us to erase his name."

Mashaba said he would not forget the short conversation he had with Manyathela before the SA 2010 World Cup Bid Challenge Cup against Trinidad and Tobago.

"He urged us to eat quickly and be ready for the important assignment that afternoon. Ten minutes after the kick-off time he scored and while we were still celebrating that goal he sealed the win with a penalty," said an emotional Mashaba in his parting quote.

Pirates captain Papi Khomane described Manyathela as a man who lived his life for soccer.

"I am privileged to be the captain of the team for which Lesley played for," said Komane. "We will play for you our top striker."

- SAPA