Four soccer players were killed on Sunday night when a minibus they were travelling in collided with a bakkie along the R71 road near Polokwane, Limpopo traffic department said.

Spokeswoman Kagiso Motone said the four were among 25 people who were travelling in a minibus when the vehicles collided head-on.

“It is unclear how the accident happened but the impact forced the minibus off the road where it fell on its side on the opposite lane in the path of on-coming traffic,” she said.

Police spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the players who were members of the Polokwane City football club were travelling from Oscar Mphetha stadium where they had played their National First Division match against F.C.A.K.

Polokwane City was formerly known as Bay United.

“The driver of the mini bus lost control after he was hit on the side by a bakkie which supposedly failed to stop at an intersection.

“The minibus rolled over in the path of oncoming traffic and collided with a bus full of ZCC parishioners from Zimbabwe.

Four players died on the scene while seven others were rushed to Mankweng hospital, one in a critical condition.

None of the ZCC churchgoers were injured, Mulaudzi said.

Drivers of both buses sustained minor injuries while the driver of the bakkie sustained serious injuries and was admitted to the same hospital. The names of the deceased woill be released after their next of kin have been informed.

Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide.

By Sapa