Former head coach Brandon Truter shared that striker Bongi Ntuli's passing came as a massive shock to the football fraternity after a battle with cancer.
Truter and the talented striker worked together at Usuthu during his stint there in 2022.
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The 32-year-old Ntuli has died after losing his battle with cancer.
He netted 75 career goals in 269 competitive matches.
"I rate him very highly as a player, I think in the first couple of games with the club, he was my main central striker with Augustine Kwem and Gabadinho Mhango," Truter tells KickOff.
"That was the striking three I relied on for goals, but Bongi was always my go-to guy.
"I didn't have problems with him, irrespective of what people said or whatever.
"I think he was never used enough at Bafana level. You could see now when he was playing, he had a goal or assist in him all the time. A reference point for any team.
"Bongi inspired so many of the boys at AmaZulu. Didn't say much, but what he gave on the field says a lot.
"His passing came as a huge shock for me.
"Especially because of the working relationship that I had with him and his wife as well.
"It was unexpected, it shocked me. He was a humble human being and a player.
"I have sent my deepest condolences. It is sad indeed. They were a young couple that had been married for two months.
"It's so sad and heartbreaking, I just hope that God gives strength to his family and comforts the AmaZulu family as well and be with them during this time.
"Growing up and reaching the heights he had with Mamelodi Sundowns and the national team, there were always some reports about his off-the-field living, but I never had a problem with him.
"People always remembered the bad news about him, or whatever that was in the media instead of the good things about him.
"He became an absolute legend at AmaZulu, and KwaZulu-Natal as a whole. He turned out for both KZN clubs Golden Arrows and AmaZulu. So, people in KZN love him. He was a pure Zulu boy."
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