Thinus Ferreira
The SuperSport presenter, commentator and anchor Phumlani Msibi died on Friday after a short illness. He was 57.
SuperSport said in a statement it is "sadly mourning the loss of its legendary football and boxing commentator, presenter and anchor, Phumlani Msibi, who died on Friday, 20 June 2025, after a short illness at the age of 57"
Phumlani Msibi was born 15 December 1967 in Durban. In his decades-long and storied broadcasting career, his phrase, "Coach, thoughts please?" upped the intrigue for viewers in post-match interviews and became iconic in the football fraternity, SuperSport said in a tribute.
Phumlani Msibi who worked at the SABC, 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 SuperSport.
He 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.
This proved a pivotal point in his career, whereby Phumlani Msibi grew his repertoire, immersing himself in all things football on SuperSport, whether live or on magazine programming.
According to SuperSport, "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 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 others.
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 others.
Rendani Ramovha, SuperSport CEO, in the statement, says Phumlani 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."
