Former Bafana Bafana star Marks Maponyane is among those who have issued tributes to ex-Zambia striker Philemon Mulala after the former Cape Town Spurs attacker was found dead in his home following a mauling by his own three dogs.
Mulala was declared dead on the scene in his backyard in Lichtenburg, with the incident having occurred on Saturday, 7 January, while his wife was located somewhere inside the property.
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Local SAPS spokesman in the region, captain Sam Tselanyane, described the former Zambia international's wife's discovery of the ex-player's dead body in their home.
"She did not bother to go and check what was wrong as their house is situated on a busy street and the dogs frequently barked at pedestrians and vehicles passing by," he told journalists, per Goal.
"After the electricity was restored, she went inside looking for her husband, but could not find him.
"Upon continuing with her search, the woman saw her husband lying motionless outside in the garden.
"She then went outside, only to find that the husband was bitten by their dogs."
With the dogs having since been removed from the home by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), tributes have continued to pour in for the ex-Chipolopolo man.
Maponyane, who played with Mulala at Dynamos FC between 1991 and 1992, has bid his farewell to the deceased footballer.
"Sad to read about the passing of my former teammate/striking partner at Dynamos, Philemon Mulala," he said, according to Goal.
"It's reported that he was killed by his dogs.
"He was a very contradictory man or contrast in attitude. Very quiet as a person, but he was very strong and willing to play.
"He was sort of a staunch stocky striker.
"In fact, it was a surprise that he is still around because we don't get to bump into each other a lot."
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Football Association of Zambia president Sydney Mungala said: "It's such a tragic end. Many who watched him, especially fans of Mufulira Wanderers, have been pouring out their grief.
"Many remember him from the national team days, where he won Zambia's first major post-independence silverware.
"[Since retiring] he had ventured into business in South Africa."
The 60-year-old's defining moment for his country came in 1984, when he scored a brace against Kenya in the semi-final of the East and Central African Championship, which Zambia went on to win – it was Chipolopolo's first-ever piece of silverware, cementing Mulala's status as a legend for the team.
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