South Africa midfielder DEAN FURMAN has spoken of the "utter
devastation" that has "engulfed his team-mates following the death" of
captain SENZO MEYIWA. Furman: "He has a young family so there's more to it than losing a footballer -- someone's lost a dad." FIFA President SEPP BLATTER "also paid tribute to Meyiwa on Twitter." Blatter tweeted, "Thoughts with family, players and fans of Orlando Pirates and South Africa. A senseless, tragic loss. #RIPSenzoMeyiwa." The South African Premier Soccer League has "postponed this weekend's derby
between Orlando Pirates and Kaiser Chiefs as a mark of respect" (BBC, 10/27). The BBC reported Meyiwa "died after being shot during a burglary, police say." He was "reportedly attacked after men entered his girlfriend's house in Vosloorus, south of Johannesburg." His agent "described him as a humble man from a tough background who had become a 'hero in everyone's eyes.'" The footballer "may have been trying to defend his girlfriend KELLY KHUMALO, a South African singer and celebrity, when he was shot, reports
said." South Africa national team head coach EPHRAIM MASHABA "wept during a
news conference called on Monday in response to the footballer's death" (BBC, 10/27).
