How murdered South African goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa stopped Nigeria from qualifying for the AFCON

Exactly a month and sixteen days after Senzo Meyiwa helped South Africa stop the Super Eagles from qualifying for the 2015 AFCON, he was shot and killed in his country.

The murder trial of the five people who allegedly killed former Bafana Bafana captain, Senzo Meyiwa was opened on Monday in South Africa nearly a decade since the incident.

Meyiwa was killed on the 26th of October, 2014,  more than a month after leading South Africa to a 0-0 draw against the Super Eagles to condemn the then defending champions Nigeria to missing out on the 2015 AFCON.

Five men alleged to be the killers of Meyiwa appeared before a Pretoria High Court on Monday in a news that has gotten the entire nation talking.

The murder trial is also coming after the release of a Netflix documentary on the murder of the former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper.

Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, Mthobisi Mncube, Sufiso Ntuli and Mthokoziseni Maphisa have all been accused of murdering the goalkeeper, almost eight years after the incident.

Meyiwa in goal as South Africa held Nigeria 

In a crucial 2015 AFCON qualifying game in Cape Town, South Africa held Stephen Keshi-led Nigeria to a goalless draw with Meyiwa stopping the Nigerians from getting a much-needed victory.

The Super Eagles had laboured in the qualifiers, shockingly losing at home to Congo as the team suffered administrative and internal issues.

The draw proved to be important to South Africa’s qualification for the tournament and vital to how a poor Super Eagles team missed out of the tournament.

Meyiwa was captain of the team under former coach, Shakes Mashaba and stood out for his great goalkeeping and excellent leadership.

He would not be available for the second leg at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo as he was murdered before South Africa forced the Super Eagles to a 2-2 draw in a game that confirmed Nigeria’s elimination.

In September 2014, Senzo Meyiwa was in goal when Bafana held the Super Eagles to a 0-0 draw in Cape Town in the 2015 AFCONQ series. He was killed a month later. In November, Bafana played a 2-2 in Uyo that eliminated Keshi’s Nigeria from defending their 2013 Afcon title. https://t.co/Kf7aDOQ4a5

— Lolade Adewuyi (@Jololade) April 11, 2022

South Africa XI against @NGSuperEagles: Meyiwa, Hlatshwayo, Ngcongca, Mathoho, Matlaba, Jali, Furman, Manyisa, Masango, Vilakazi and Ndulula

— Lolade Adewuyi (@Jololade) September 10, 2014

How was Senzo Meyiwa Killed?

According to a Netflix documentary on the murder of the goalkeeper, he was in the comfort of family on the night of the 26th of October, 2014 before a strange knock was heard on the door.

Meyiwa was in his girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo’s house with her mother, children, sister, sister’s boyfriend and two of the goalkeeper’s friends when the incident happened.

In what was said at the time to be a robbery, Meyiwa was reported to have leapt to the defense of the family and resisted the suspected robbers. He was shot and killed thereafter in what’s still considered a national tragedy considering his status as captain.

The years that followed Meyiwa’s death saw a deafening silence as his murder was dubbed as robbery gone wrong.

In October 2020, there was a revisit into the goalkeeper’s death and five suspects were arrested by the Police.

Meyiwa’s girlfriend, Khumalo has also been linked with the case as she’s said to have placed a call through to one of the murderers, although she’s never been officially charged for it.

The goalkeeper’s brother has insisted on arresting Khumalo who is a musician in South Africa.

The trial of the five suspected killers for charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition will resume on Tuesday in Pretoria after one of the lawyers sought postponement on earlier on Monday.