After a conflict with the disease .. Football loses a star Africa (photo)

Leil Mbadinga, former player of the South African national team and former player of the English Premier League, has died as a result of the disease.

Masinga, who retired after a professional experience with Emirati club Al Wahda in the 2001-2002 season, has died 49, according to the South African Football Federation.

Mbadinga started playing for Jomo Cosmos, then at Mamelodi Sun Downs before moving to England.

Mbadinga played for Leeds United between 1994 and 1996 and left Yorkshire, where he played for two years. He has also played for St Gallen in Switzerland, Salernitana and Bari in Italy.

"It's a sad day for South African football," said South African Football Federation (FAN) President Danny Jordan, "He has served his country sincerely on and off the pitch."

Leeds and a number of former teammates have expressed their condolences for the death of his former player, according to the British newspaper Mail Online.

Phil played for the Africa Cup of Nations at the expense of Tunisia in the 1996 final and helped his country's arrival at the World Cup for the first time in its history at the World Cup. world of France in 1998.