Dribbling wizard Emmanuel "Scara" Ngobese has died at Johannesburg's Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, the Sowetan newspaper reports.
Ngobese was admitted to hospital on Sunday after collapsing at home. His brother Thabani told the daily newspaper that the soccer star, who was suffering from tubercolosis, was rushed to hospital after he started bleeding profusely.
"We rushed him to hospital because he was bleeding a lot," Thabani said.
"My brother had recovered after suffering from tuberculosis for some time. He was a different Scara and went to church regularly.
"He had also started going to gym and was planning to return to competitive soccer soon. We are all devastated by his death," Thabani said.
Ngobese, who featured once for Bafana Bafana, also represented Amajita.
Ted Dumitru, who won the league championship with Ngobese while coaching Kaizer Chiefs, said Ngobese was special.
"I coached him at Kaizer Chiefs. He helped us win the championship in 2004/05.
"He was loved by the fans because of what he did with the ball. I was convinced that Scara still had a lot to offer the game if he regained his fitness. My deepest condolences to his family."
Famed and celebrated for his flamboyant style on the pitch, Ngobese enjoyed a four-year spell with Amakhosi, where he was a fan favourite.
According to Football365.co.za, when Ernst Middendorp took over at Naturena, Scara found himself marginalised because the German did not appreciate his showboating - this despite his success during Ted Dumitru's tenure.
The winger's career then stalled somewhat and a move to Thanda Royal Zulu followed.
The Katlehong-born player then suffered a further setback when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 2008. - IOL reporter