The South African football community is in mourning following the untimely death of former Mamelodi Sundowns chairman, Angelo Tsichlas. Angelo, the husband of former Sundowns managing director Natasha Tsichlas, reportedly passed away in a car accident on Tuesday afternoon, 24 June.
The devastating news was confirmed by club legend Harris “TV4” Chueu, who spoke to Daily Sun after hearing from family members. “We lost Angelo through an accident this afternoon. I don’t have the full details at the moment. I called someone I know, who is a brother-in-law to the family, and he confirmed it. All I know is that he was involved in a car crash,” Chueu said.
While the exact circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear, the football fraternity has already begun expressing its condolences. Mamelodi Sundowns spokesperson Mashupje Nkgadima stated that the club would not issue a full comment until the Tsichlas family has released an official statement. “As you would expect, it would be the family first,” he said.
Angelo Tsichlas played a pivotal role in the history and development of Mamelodi Sundowns, one of South Africa’s most successful football clubs. Alongside his wife, Natasha, Angelo helped rescue the team from financial instability after purchasing it in 1988 from Daniel “Screamer” Zola Mahobe.
Mahobe, who had bought the club in 1985, was known for revolutionizing the team by signing high-profile players and modernising the club’s approach. However, his reign ended in scandal when it was discovered that his lavish spending was funded by money stolen from a bank, leading to the sale of the club to the Tsichlas family.
As chairman, Angelo worked closely with Natasha, who served as managing director, to rebuild the club’s credibility and transform it into a football powerhouse. Under their leadership, Sundowns enjoyed a golden era, collecting numerous league titles and cup victories, and becoming a household name in South African football.
Their legacy continued into the new millennium when mining magnate Patrice Motsepe acquired a 51% stake in the club in 2003. A year later, Motsepe gained full ownership and ushered in a new chapter for the team while retaining the foundations built by the Tsichlas family.
Natasha Tsichlas has remained deeply involved in the sport and continues to be a respected figure in football circles. She currently serves as one of the vice-presidents of the South African Football Association (SAFA), working alongside other prominent leaders such as Dr Irvin Khoza, Linda Zwane, and Bennett Bailey.
Tributes are expected to pour in from across the country as the football community remembers Angelo Tsichlas—not just for his administrative contributions to the sport, but also for the legacy of integrity and leadership he leaves behind.
Funeral arrangements and a formal statement from the Tsichlas family are expected in the coming days.