Gift Mpho Leremi could have been Mzansi's Cristiano Ronaldo. He had it all - football intelligence, the ability to play the ball with both feet, precision and power in his shot, and the gift to go past players at will.
Leremi was sadly killed in a devastating motor vehicle accident on 3 September 2007, while driving in Alberton, Gauteng. The news shocked Mzansi's football fraternity as one of the nations most promising talents lost his life.
At the time, Leremi was only 22 years of age.
Fondly remembered as Va Va Voom in football circles, Leremi left his mark on South African football in his short five years in the top tier. He made his debut for Orlando Pirates at the age of 17 against Moroka Swallows. Bucs won 5-0 and Leremi announced his arrival, with the fans witnessing a player that comes once in a lifetime.
The midfielder represented Bafana Bafana on four occasions after graduating through the national U20 and U23 setups and showed the promise to be one of the best Mzansi had ever produced.
His life was tragically taken away soon after joining Mamelodi Sundowns. He had joined the Brazilians in 2007 after five memorable years with the Buccaneers. His memory lives on within the South African football community.
Leremi could have been our very own Ronaldo, and while we will never know what he would have achieved, Mzansi fans had the opportunity to watch a true talent grace out football fields.
Rest in peace, Va Va Voom.
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