COSAFA is saddened to learn of the passing of former football administrator Abdul Bhamjee (second from the left).

Bhamjee was a leading figure in the pursuit of non-racial sport in South Africa and had a prominent role in the set-up of the National Soccer League (NSL) in 1985, the forerunner of the current Premier Soccer League.

He was a skilled administrator and excellent negotiator who did much to elevate professional football in the country.

Bhamjee was known as ‘Mr Soccer’, and also played a leading role in the development of the world famous Soccer City in Johannesburg.

He was a charismatic character and the brother of former COSAFA President Ismail Bhamjee, who served as the head of the regional body between 1992 and 2006.