Kaizer Chiefs confirm death of former midfielder Michael Nkambule aged 37

Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed the death of former academy graduate and first-team midfielder Michael Nkambule at the age of 37.

Nkambule represented Kaizer Chiefs’ senior side between 2007 and 2010 after progressing through the club’s academy. He also played for Black Leopards and represented South African junior national teams during his career.

His route into professional football included a move to France in 2003. Strasbourg FC signed Nkambule after he attracted attention with his performances at the Milk Cup tournament in Northern Ireland.

At the time, he was playing for the Kaizer Chiefs U-15 team. His displays at the tournament impressed scouts and led to the move, marking an early step in a career that would later take him into the Kaizer Chiefs first team.

Kaizer Chiefs confirmed the news in a statement that paid tribute to Nkambule as both an academy product and a former senior player.

“Kaizer Chiefs Football Club and the entire Kaizer Chiefs family deeply regret the passing of Michael Nkambule, a former academy graduate and player for the Kaizer Chiefs first team from 2007 to 2010.

“A product of the Kaizer Chiefs academy, who earned a move to France in 2003 after impressing scouts with his performances for the Kaizer Chiefs U-15 team at the Milk Cup tournament in Northern Ireland.”

Nkambule’s association with Kaizer Chiefs began in the club’s youth system before he moved abroad as a teenager. His performances at the Milk Cup brought him to the attention of Strasbourg FC, who signed him in 2003.

He later returned to the South African football scene and became part of the Kaizer Chiefs first team. His senior spell with the club lasted from 2007 until 2010, after which he also turned out for Black Leopards.

Alongside his club career, Nkambule was involved with South African junior national teams. His playing background therefore included football at youth international level, domestic senior level and in France.

The announcement means Kaizer Chiefs have lost a former player whose connection with the club stretched from academy football to the first team. Nkambule was 37 at the time of his death.