Maritzburg United player Mondli Cele saw his death

CELE knew he wasn’t going to live a long time.
These were the words that shocked mourners at the funeral of Maritzburg United player Mondli Cele (27) on Saturday at the Folweni Sports Ground in Durban, KZN.
Cele’s childhood friend, Khumbulani Ngcobo, said Cele shocked him when he told him that he knew he wasn’t going to live longer.
“We had just come back from paying lobola,” said Khumbulani.
“He said he knew members of his family who were getting ahead in life don’t last long and he was the next in line.”
Khumbulani said he didn’t ask questions. “But true to his prediction, my friend is no more,” he said.
Khumbulani said he slept over at the player’s flat in Pietermaritzburg after the Orlando Pirates game. “His other friends called, asking him to come and fetch them at a night club.
“I didn’t know it was the last time I’d see him alive.”
Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba and deputy minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries Bheki Cele
livened up the tense funeral.
“Maritzburg players, come and dance nei nei for your fellow brother,” said Mashaba to loud cheers.
Cele’s teammate, Kwanda Mngonyama led his teammates in song and Mashaba sang along.
Bheki Cele wrapped up the proceedings by challenging the players to fight relegation in honour of their fallen soldier. He also urged PSL club bosses to put strict rules on players who wander about in the streets late at night.
Cele died in a car accident in Pietermaritzburg in the early hours of last Sunday morning.
He was buried at Umkhomazi