Lesley Manyathela
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Lesley Phuti Manyathela | ||
| Date of birth | 4 September 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | Musina, South Africa | ||
| Date of death | 9 August 2003 (aged 21) | ||
| Place of death | Musina, South Africa | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Number | 22 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Chelamoya[1] | |||
| Dynamos | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2000–2003 | Orlando Pirates | 73 | (48) |
| National team | |||
| 2002–2003 | South Africa | 9 | (4) |
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. | |||
Lesley Phuti "Slow Poison" Manyathela (4 September 1981 – 9 August 2003) was a South African football (soccer) player for Orlando Pirates in the Premier Soccer League and South Africa.
Career
Before his death, Manyathela was a top goal scorer in the South African PSL (Pemier Soccer League) scoring 22 goals – (18 league + 4 in cup competitions), this also helped his team, Orlando Pirates, get the league championship honours in the 2002/03 Season.[2]
After his death, Manyathela's jersey number 22 was retired by Pirates in honour of the player.
International
He made his debut for South Africa against Saudi Arabia in 2002 and earned nine caps in total, scoring four goals.[3]
Death
The striker died in a car accident close to his hometown of Musina. He was with his friend in the car during the accident. The death of Manyathela was a blow to the nation as he was one of the most gifted players to emerge to the football limelight, having scored 48 times in 73 appearances for Orlando Pirates. His hometown is Musina (formerly Messina), Limpopo Province, South Africa.[4] The following season, 2003/04, the top goal scorer award for the PSL was renamed to be the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot.