.Lota

JOHANNESBURG – Premier Soccer League (PSL), CEO, Brand de Villiers expressed his shock after the sudden passing of Lota.

Lota, a former striker of both Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates, passed on yesterday. This morning, De Villiers extended his heartfelt condolences to the Lota family.

De Villiers said: “Dennis Lota will be remembered as one of the finest strikers to have played in the Premier Soccer League. As a player, he brought joy to thousands of football fans in this country. As a coach, he continued to lead by example and we will miss his contribution to our game.

“On behalf of the PSL clubs, we would like to send our condolences to his family and the Moroka Swallows family at large. Our prayers and thoughts are with them during this difficult period.”

Supersport television channel Robert Marawa twitted, “It is with shock and profound sadness that we inform the football community of the sudden passing of our assistant coach Dennis ‘Chesa Mpama’ Lota last night from malaria.

“The former Zambian international striker served Swallows with loyalty and dedication both as a player and as assistant coach for many years.

“At the height of his career he was playing for Orlando Pirates where he won the PSL Top Goal Scorer Award.

“He was a talented young coach and commanded great respect in the dressing room. The club sends deepest condolences to Dennis’s family and friends. We are devastated by his untimely loss. He will be sorely missed in the Nest. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” the club said in a statement.

Pirates also sent out their message of condolence to the player’s family.