Distraught Kaizer Chiefs sporting director Kaizer Motaung Jnr says he is in disbelief over the defender, Luke Fleurs’ passing. Fleurs passed away on Wednesday night after he was gunned down in Honeydew, Johannesburg in a robbery.
As also reported by SportPlus, Chiefs defender Fleurs was shot and killed when robbers sped off with his VW Golf GTI at a petrol station. In a reaction, Motaung said the entire club is shocked to learn about the 24-year-old’s passing and they are going through a difficult time.
Fleurs: Chiefs Boss Shocked About the Youngster’s Passing
In an interview with Radio 2000, Motaung Jnr says Chiefs players did not train on Thursday to process the news but they decided to go ahead.
“I think we are shocked in disbelief and have a lot of anger at the same time. It was a very sombre day at the Village. We’ve never experienced anything like this, losing a squad player. It’s been a difficult day” said the Chiefs Sporting Director. We gave the players an option not to train today. But they said they want to train and soldier on in the memory of Luke Fleurs. We met at our central point and the Chairman addressed the players before they went on the field.”
“Luke had a radiant smile and was loved by all the players. He stayed close to Yusuf Maart. He was also close to Keegan (Dolly). He was a great professional and never complained or sulked when not picked. He was very close to making his debut. He would have travelled to Chippa. The players have decided that they will honour the match in memory of Luke. I hope they realize how privileged they are to be in this position and how quickly it can go away.”
“Even during the negotiations, I got the sense that Luke Fleurs was really proud to be at Kaizer Chiefs. It was a dream come true for him and I got that feeling every time I saw him at the Village.”
Fleurs: Police Issue Details on Chiefs Player’s Death
Meanwhile, SowetanLIVE reports that the defender was waiting to be served by a petrol attendant when he was killed. Gauteng police spokesperson Lt-Col Mavela Masondo revealed that the former SuperSport United defender was approached by two armed suspects before one shot him.
They also forced him out of his car but the Chiefs defender did not die on the scene but at a nearby medical centre. “It is reported that the victim [Fleurs] who was driving a red VW Golf 8 GTI drove into the petrol station in 14th Avenue, corner Hendrik Potgieter,” said the Police official, Masondo.
“While waiting to be served by the petrol attendant, he was confronted by two armed males who came driving a white BMW 1 Series. The suspects pointed at him with a firearm and took him out of his vehicle, then shot him once in the upper body. One suspect drove off with the victim’s car followed by his accomplice. The victim was taken to the nearest medical care centre where he was certified dead on arrival.”