Lesley Manyathela

Lesley Manyathela

Personal information
Full name	Lesley Phuti Manyathela
Date of birth	4 September 1981
Place of birth	Musina, South Africa
Date of death
Place of death	Musina, South Africa
Position(s)	Striker
Youth career
	Chelamoya
	Dynamos
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2000–2003	Orlando Pirates	73	(48)
International career
2002–2003	South Africa	9	(4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Lesley Phuti "Slow Poison" Manyathela (4 September 1981 – 9 August 2003) was a South African football (soccer) player for Orlando Pirates in the Premier Soccer League and South Africa.

Career

Before his death, Manyathela was a top goal scorer in the South African PSL (Pemier Soccer League) scoring 22 goals – (18 league + 4 in cup competitions), this also helped his team, Orlando Pirates, get the league championship honours in the 2002/03 Season.

International

He made his debut for South Africa against Saudi Arabia in 2002 and earned nine caps in total, scoring four goals.

Death

The striker died in a car accident close to his home town of Musina. He was with his friend in the car during the accident. The death of Manyathela was a blow to the nation as he was one of the most gifted players to emerge to the football limelight, having scored 48 times in 73 appearances for Orlando Pirates .His home town is Musina (formerly Messina), Limpopo Province, South Africa. The following season, 2003/04, the top goal scorer award for the PSL was renamed to be the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot.