Tugela died with a dream – Hamata

The football fraternity is mourning the death of former Civics player Tugela Tulongeni Tuyeni, who died in a car accident on Friday.

Tuyeni, who had retired from football, is remembered by many who took to social media platforms to express their condolences.

Football expert Isack Hamata said Tuyeni was a friend to all, and the football fraternity should live his legacy.

“His dream really was for the improvement of football and I think he died with a dream to see football turn the corner and his passion was for the former players who were not recognised,” he said.

Going down memory lane, he said Tuyeni was one of the few players that Civics won three titles with, and he also won two at Blue Waters.

“There are very few players in the country who has achieved what he has but what kept him apart is his humility on and off the field and he had respect for his teammates and his opponents,” he said.

Hamata said despite having known each other for years, they first got to work together in 2013 when Tuyeni asked Hamata to assist him as he was planning his testimonial matches.

“We got involved with his testimonial matches in March 2013, where he asked me to help him with the matches which were held in Swakopmund and Windhoek.

“The testimonial matches triggered a lot of interest and we started the Thru Pass Sunday league which then brought together many former players because his testimonial matches involved many former players who had not seen each other for many years, so the idea was then brought up there that why don't we start up a league that we regularly come together, so that then gave birth to the Sunday Thru Pass league.

“He was also part of Aweh Aweh, which was meant to bring people together and out of that brought another idea that why don't we improve the lot of football players who are not employed and did that by going around towns doing clinics to just so that people understand the former players are busy with something,” he said.

Hamata mentioned that maybe there is a message being sent to the football fraternity.

“Maybe there is a message that is being sent, maybe we need to come together, and ask if we are on the right path and what we are doing as a football fraternity.

“Maybe things like this are calling us back to the basics and say we are going astray and for the sake of football let us leave our differences and commit to solving the problem as thousands of players are being affected,” he said.

The midfield all-rounder first came to the fore at the age of 17 at Blue Boys in 1996.

Former teammate Amos Shiyuka described Tuyeni as a humble and down-to-earth player.

“He was a humble person with a big heart and very quiet and never talked too much but would talk with his feet. Most skilful midfielder I have ever come across and a very talented young man with a good heart.

“He also worked for me at Mobi Pay and the same character he showed on the field was the same that he showed at work that he would be quiet and just see his results through his diligent work and extra effort that he would put into his work,” he said.

KAINO NGHITONGO