Rulani Mokwena’s message to Luke Fleurs family and Kaizer Chiefs

The former SuperSport United centre back was gunned down during a botched hijacking at a petrol station in Roodepoort on Wednesday evening.

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Ahead of their decisive second leg CAF Champions League quarterfinals tie against Young African at Loftus Stadium tonight, Mokwena’s opening remarks at his pre-match press conference was to remember Fleurs. 

''It's only befitting that we start with words of condolences to Luke Fleur's family and the bereaved, of course the family of Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United as a club that invested a lot in his development as a footballer,'' said Mokwena. 

Fleurs, 24, signed for Chiefs on a free transfer from SuperSport in October but had not yet made his official debut at the time of his death.

Mokwena is reeling after the player’s senseless killing. 

''It is very said that a young life can come to such an abrupt end with so much potential, it is a major loss to the football fraternity,'' added Mokwena.

On facing Yanga for the second time in a week, Mokwena said he expected the encounter to really put his charges to the test. 

''I did say to you guys that Yanga is a very good side, you can see with the results and with the domestic competitions,'' he concluded.

The two sides played to a goalless draw in Tanzania last weekend and the hosts were tough to break down, and Mokwena believes his counterpart Miguel Gamondi isn’t likely to change his approach for the second leg.