South African football family has been thrown into mourning following the death of Mamelodi Sundowns player Anele Ngcongca.

The 33-year-old defender was said to have died in a ghastly vehicle accident on Monday, November 23.

He was on the verge of joining Amazulu FC on a season-long loan deal with an option of joining them on a permanent basis if he impressed in his first year.

However, the former Bafana Bafana star did not get to play a single match for his new club having been taken away by death.Anele Ngcongca

Anele Ngcongca during his reign at Belgian club Genk. Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos

Preliminary reports had claimed that Ngcongca sustained severe injuries during a crash in the early hours of this morning as reported by KickOff.

The late defender kicked off his career at Fortune FC in 2003 and spent four years with them before moving to Belgium.

He was at the Belgian club from 2007 till 2016 but spent his last season with them on loan at French club Troyes.

At the end of his reign in 2016, he returned home where he signed for Mamelodi Sundowns and was with them until he agreed to join Amazulu on loan this year. 

He also earned over 50 senior international caps with Bafana Bafana, including an appearance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.