Former Mpumalanga Black Aces co-chairman Mario Morfou has expressed his condolences over the passing of former Witbank Aces owner Veli Mahlangu.
Mahlangu, a legend in football administration in South Africa, died in the early hours of Thursday at the age of 72.
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Morfou, who is currently more focused on the development side of football, still owns the Mpumalanga Black Aces name.
"It's terrible news, my friend. He was a very good man and my chairman when I played for Witbank Aces. My condolences to his family," Morfou tells KickOff.
"This is very sad news and a dark day for South Africa. Mahlangu was a legend in football administration in the past, and I'm very sorry to hear of his passing.
"There were disagreements with him regarding the ownership of the Aces name, but we managed to resolve our disagreements. It was an honor to play under him.
"Veli Mahlangu was a true gentleman. I remember we used to play in KwaMhlanga during those years, and then we moved to Witbank. His brother, Lucky Mahlangu, acted as a sort of manager for us, and the coach was the late Steve 'Disco' Makua alongside Junior Ngobe.
"Veli was a soft-spoken gentleman. Today's game is missing chairmen who are involved in football out of passion. Our football is definitely lacking those types of chairmen from the old school."
Photo by Anesh Debiky / Gallo Images
