HEARTBROKEN Maritzburg United coach Ernst Middendorp cancelled yesterday morning’s training as the loss of Mondli Cele truly hit home.
The bustling winger was killed in a car crash on Sunday morning. A journalist from the SABC, Delisile Ngwenya, died on the scene, while two other passengers survived.
The night before Cele’s death, he had played the game of his life, terrorising Orlando Pirates players and even scoring in that 3-3 draw at Harry Gwala Stadium.
Sources said as Maritzburg players gathered in the changing room yesterday before their routine training session, Middendorp first asked if all players were available.
A few seconds later, the German coach broke down, plunging the room into mourning.
“The coach said in all his years as coach, he had not lost a player like this. He said it’s hard for him to accept. He asked the team to go home and return tomorrow. He said he was sorry he could not handle the training, that maybe someone else could take over.”
Maritzburg operations manager Quinton Jetto confirmed that training had been cancelled. “The head coach and his technical team decided players need time to recover. They will return on Wednesday (tomorrow) to decide how we move forward.”
Jetto said club chairman Farook Kadodia has committed to carry the funeral costs. “He has met Mondli’s family and gave the assurance that he would help wherever he could.”
Jetto said they would seek the aid of a professional counsellor to help players and the entire club staff during their grieving period.
The Maritzburg official added that they were due to finalise the funeral date late yesterday. It is believed that Cele will be buried at Umzikhulu on the KZN south coast on Saturday.
Cele is survived by three brothers, a sister, his parents and two kids.
