The local football fraternity is in mourning following the death of renowned sports presenter Phumlani Msibi.

Msibi’s employer, SuperSport TV, conveyed the sad news on Friday evening.

“SuperSport is sadly mourning the loss of its legendary football and boxing commentator, presenter, and anchor, Phumlani Msibi, who died on Friday, after a short illness, at the age of 57,” disclosed SuperSport.

“Born on 15 December 1967 in Durban, Msibi was a passionate and supremely talented storyteller, with a penchant for live football and boxing commentary and analysis.

“In his decades-long and storied broadcasting career, his iconic phrase, “Coach, thoughts please?” upped the intrigue for viewers in post-match interviews and became iconic in the football fraternity.”

Msibi started at SuperSport as a ring announcer with the late boxing promoter, Mzi Mnguni, in the late 1990s before becoming a seasoned boxing commentator, becoming the first to commentate in isiZulu and English on the sports broadcaster.

“Msibi soon embedded himself in the football sphere, becoming one of the faces and voices of football on SuperSport following the acquisition of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) broadcast rights in 2007,” continued SuperSport.

“This proved a pivotal point in his career, whereby Msibi grew his repertoire, immersing himself in all things football on SuperSport, whether live or on magazine programming. His clever use of language, whether isiZulu or English, endeared him to viewers across the continent, while his humility made his interviewees comfortable in front of the camera.

“He became SuperSport’s ‘Mr. Versatile’, featuring on popular football magazine shows, Super Saturday and Soccer Africa, as well as doing his bespoke storytelling through “Mzansi Legends,” where he interviewed people such as Dr. Irvin Khoza, the PSL and Orlando Pirates Chairman; Dr. Kaizer Motaung Senior, Chairman of Kaizer Chiefs; the late Thomas Madigage; and many other legendary football personalities.”

As synonymous as he was with football and boxing, Msibi also punched above his weight when it came to horse racing.

SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha paid tribute to Msibi: “Msibi was one of the most beloved sports commentators SuperSport has ever had. He had a reputation as an outstanding professional, well-respected by his peers and colleagues, and a respected family man.

“On behalf of SuperSport and the MultiChoice family, we’d like to express our heartfelt condolences to the Msibi family following this great loss. Msibi’s loss will be felt not just by the broadcaster and football fraternity but by the whole sporting community at large. We are gravely saddened by his passing.”

Before joining SuperSport, Msibi honed his broadcast skills with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).