Bafana Bafana assistant coach Thomas Madigage has been killed in a car crash in South Africa in the early hours of Friday morning.
A South African Football Association (Safa) statement said the accident happened near Burgersfort in the Limpopo region of the country.
"We are shocked and at a loss for words and as we speak, we are on our way to meet the family and find out what actually happened," said Safa president, Kirsten Nematandani.
"We would like to pass our sincere condolences to the family, friends and the entire nation on this shocking development."
Madigage is thought to have collided with a stray donkey as he travelled to visit his sick mother on the R37 road between Polokwane and Burgersfort.
A memorial service was held at Safa headquarters on Friday, attended by a visibly distressed coach Gordon Igesund.
The 40-year-old former national midfielder was appointed as an assistant by Bafana Bafana coach Igesund in July.
Igesund said: "I have known Tommy for many years, he was not only my assistant, he was much more than that. He was a friend.
"Since working together, he had become part of my family. You can't get a better human being than what Tommy was. He was humble, loyal, committed and sincere.
"He was so happy to be a part of the Bafana Bafana set-up and he had so much to contribute.
"He was so looking forward to the Nations Cup finals and it will be very difficult to participate without him. We will dedicate our Nations Cup campaign to him."
In a glittering playing career, Madigage became the youngest player to feature in the South African top-flight after making his debut at the age of just 16 in March 1987. His performances for Cosmos eventually earned him a move to Swiss side FC Zurich in 1990.
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