Former Bafana Star Maimane Alfred Phiri Shot While Defending Woman, Gunman Then Kills Himself

• Maimane Alfred Phiri was shot while trying to reason with a gunman who ran into his tavern chasing his girlfriend
• The former Bafana Bafana star was shot twice and remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital
• The gunman killed one other patron of the tavern after shooting Phiri before turning the gun on himself

Former South African soccer legend Maiamane Alfred Phiri remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital after he was shot twice in his tavern in Alexandra.

The 47-year-old Phiri was shot while trying to assist a woman who ran into his tavern after she was chased by her gun-wielding boyfriend.

Soccer Laduma confirmed that the gunman shot Phiri and killed another patron before turning the gun on himself.

“Police have opened a case of murder, attempted murder and an inquest docket after a man allegedly shot two people and shot himself in Alexandra on Thursday 30 December 2021, at approximately 19h00,” police confirmed to Soccer Laduma.

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Phiri's sister Eleanor told TimesLIVE that her brother tried to reason with the gunman who he knew personally.

“Because Maimane knows the guy, it was a matter of approaching him and trying to calm him, trying to understand, ‘Why are you doing this, why are you trying to shoot her? Please stop’. But he couldn’t,” Eleanor said.

Maimane Alfred Phiri is a legend in local soccer circles

Despite only playing 13 games for Bafana, Maimane Alfred Phiri was a hugely popular figure in South African soccer. He is most notably remembered for his spells at Jomo Cosmos and Moroka Swallows.

He also is focused on sports development, founding Maimane Alfred Phiri (MAP) Games in Alexandra, a tournament aimed at giving back to the community and unearthing local sports stars.

The MAP Games was started in 2001 and attracts teams from across the country. The tournament features four sporting categories.

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Bafana’s Bongokuhle Hlongwane is hot property, linked with Major Soccer League move

In other local soccer news, Bafana's Bongokuhle Hlongwane is the talk of the transfer town as numerous clubs are rumoured to be interested in the Maritzburg United player. The 21-year-old striker is being heavily linked with a move to Mamelodi Sundowns, Sports Brief reported.

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are also interested in signing the talented Hlongwane but despite the interest from the Premier Soccer League's big three clubs, Soccer Laduma reports that Hlongwane could be headed to America.

According to the report Hlongwane is attracting interest from clubs in the Major Soccer League as well as clubs in Europe as well. Hlongwane's star truly began to rise after he repaid the faith shown in him by Bafana coach Hugo Broos.