Luke Fleurs, a 24-year-old South African footballer, is shot dead during a robbery attempt

Defender of the South African football team Kaizer leaders, Luca Fleurswas shot and killed Wednesday during the violent robbery of his vehicle at a gas station, his club and police announced Thursday.

“It is with immense sadness that we announce that Kaizer Chiefs player Luke Fleurs tragically lost his life last night. during a robbery attempt of his vehicle in Johannesburg,” the club wrote on social media.

Les Chiefs are one of the biggest clubs in the country, twelve-time champions of South Africa and finalists of the African Champions League in 2021.

Trained at Ubuntu Cape Town in his hometown of Cape Town before joining SuperSport United from 2018 to 2023, Fleurs participated in the Olympic Games in 2021 to Tokyo. Although he was called up to the senior team, he did not make his debut for Bafana Bafana.

Passionate about football, one of his posts on social media sees him posing in front of the cameras Carles Puyolthe legendary Spanish defender who marked an era with his country’s national team and with Barcelona.

“It was a great privilege to meet this legend on my birthday,” Fleurs wrote that day. He added: “When I was little, he was one of the players I admired most and I still admire him.”

According to police, the 24-year-old player was waiting to refuel his Volkswagen Golf when two men arrived in another vehicle.

“The suspects threatened him with a firearm and forced him out of the vehicle, before shooting him in the upper body,” a police spokesperson said.

“One of the suspects drove away with the victim’s vehicle, followed by his accomplice.”

The footballer was declared dead on arrival at hospital.

Police launched an investigation, but no arrests had been made as of Thursday morning.

Crime is a recurring problem in South Africa and a hot political issue as May’s general elections approach.