By Paul Nyathi|Legendary South African footballer Philmon Malinga has died.

Malinga was confirmed dead at a South African hospital on Sunday morning.

The South African international striker spent two years at Leeds United in England.

Masinga was a huge name in South African football after becoming one of the first players to establish himself in the top leagues in Europe.

Aside from playing for Leeds, he also spent four years in Serie A with Salernitana and Bari.

The forward arrived at Elland Road in 1994, in a deal which also saw club legend Lucas Radebe move to Yorkshire.

Though he failed to make the same long-lasting impact in England, he did make Premier League 31 appearances for the club scoring five goals.

He also managed to net a hat-trick in an FA Cup clash with Walsall in 1995.

Masinga was a key part of the Bafana Bafana side which won the African Cup of Nations in 1996, and which finished runners-up two years later.

And he earned his place in South African history by scoring the decisive goal against DR Congo which secured qualification for the World Cup in France in 1998.

In total he made 58 international appearances for his country, scoring 18 goals.

Buddha Mathathe‚ president of the South African Masters and Legend Football Association, said: “He is gone. Our legend is gone. It is not right.

“It is such tragic loss for the family and for the entire country.

“He is no ordinary legend‚ he was an international legend.”

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