21 January 2019 – The honourable Minister of Sport, Ms T. Xasa, the Honourable MEC of Sport and Recreation in the Gauteng Provincial Government, Ms Faith Mazibuko, NEC Members of both PSL and SAFA, Vice Presidents of SAFA Messrs Gay Mokoena, Irvin Khoza and Xolile Nkompela and the Provincial Regional leadership of SAFA. The Masinga family, the wife, son Sifiso Masinga, daughters, the brothers, our beloved fans, members of the media, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen and especially the Masinga  family and friends, I acknowledge you.

To the Masinga family, I bring the deepest condolences from the entire football family. We can never know your pain, your loss and the extent of your tears, but we can send our hearts out to you in support and love.

We are painfully aware that we are gathered here to say our final farewell to Chippa Masinga, our striker who opened a new and much more optimistic path for the senior national team, Bafana Bafana.

He brought a spirit to Bafana Bafana of never surrender. His Bafana Bafana career from 1991 to 2002 holds some of the best performances and memories of our beloved national team.

The 3-0 defeat of Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations at FNB stadium;

Chippa MASINGA scored the first goal and a defence-splitting back flip allowed the late Shoes Moshoeu to score the third goal that finished Cameroon a favourite, not just in the match but in the whole tournament and set Bafana Bafana on the road to become 1996 AFCON Champions under Neil Tovey.

In May 1997 at Old Trafford in Manchester, it was the Shoes/Chippa combination again in the match against England.

An overhead kick by Shoes and a header by Masinga at the far post saw South Africa score one of the most memorable goals.

In 1997 it was the World Cup qualification matches against Congo (BRAZZAVILE) in Pointe Noir and the return game at FNB we hold the memories of the guts of Phil Masinga, Mark Fish and teammates with that Masinga goal created by Doctor Khumalo. This was the team led by Lucas Radebe.

They brought special and fond memories of the football loving nation. We will miss CHIPPA.

He was a leader, an incredibly talented South African, but his life has been taken in the most painful and difficult way.  His death has generated debates around his contribution to football and our country throughout the African continent and the global membership of FIFA.

This is demonstrated not only through the letters of condolences, but these letters use words like untimely death, sad, a heart-wrenching moment, gone too soon, a patriot etc.

These words describe not only how they view the death of Chippa, but how they view his extraordinary skill, talent and his legacy.

We were uplifted by Chippa sincerity and vitality.  He had a way of encouraging people that he led.

We knew that he could bring out the best in us. We want to thank the SAMLFA, President Budda Mathathe where Phil served as Vice-President for always caring about and supporting Phil.

Phil was a delegate in the SAFA Congress and addressed the Congress on many occasions.

We are all better people we knew him and his spirit lives on.

It is hard to believe that a young man of such vitality, talent and community engagement would die so early.

When you feel and do good, you are in tune with yourself; when you sing with your friends, you are in tune. When you believe in your abilities, you are in tune with yourself; when you have a caring heart, and always want to do the right thing you are in tune with yourself , when you  believe in yourself and trust your abilities, you are in tune with yourself. When your family recognises you as the foundation on which to build a brighter future, you are in tune with yourself.

Chippa Masinga  was in tune with himself.

His determination, spiritual strength, persistence made him an extraordinary human being.

His death has created an incredible outpouring of emotion. Death remains the most visible, most traumatic and the most depressing moments in our lives.

We know the truth is that we are all vulnerable, yet death remains unexpected, unwelcome and always generates a huge sense of loss.

A life lost so early in its days, leaves us both saddened and depressed.

I want to thank the family for the contribution and sacrifices you have made to prepare the path for  future growth and greatness.  I hope that your heart will be filled with hope, patience and grace – hearts filled with compassion as we pursue the path of placing Bafana where CHIPPA want to see his beloved national team.

My prayer is that today will be part of your healing and that you may receive the grace of memory as you call to mind the gift of a wonderful son.

Chippa  believed that the harder we work, the more we live…………..he died at the height of his work.

To the family we once again express our most profound condolences.

SAFA President

Dr Danny Jordaan

SOURCED FROM THE SAFA WEBSITE.