Zimbabwean international midfielder Blessing Makunike and two other players died early on Sunday when the car in which they were travelling was involved in an accident, their club chairperson confirmed.
Makunike, striker Shingirai Alron and another player, whose name has not yet been released, were returning from a 2-1 victory for their club, Caps United, in a league game in Bulawayo against Sundowns, when the car in which they were travelling hit the pillar of a bridge and burst into flames.
The people in the car, including two fans, were trapped and burnt to death.
Caps chairperson Andy Hodges said that the three players had left Bulawayo on the team bus, but had somewhere along the line jumped into the car driven by the supporters.
”I do not know why they did that, possibly they wanted to be home faster. It is certainly not common practise. Some 20 kilometres from Harare the tragic accident occurred. It’s a complete tragedy, I’m lost for words,” he said.
Makunike (27) had a six month stint with Serbia & Montenegro club Javor Ivanjica last year before returning to Caps. – Sapa-DPA