Jeffrey Ntuka (10 May 1985 – 21 January 2012) was a South African footballer who played at both professional and international levels as a defender.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Pule Jeffrey Ntuka[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 10 May 1985 | ||
| Place of birth | Kroonstad, South Africa | ||
| Date of death | 21 January 2012 (aged 26) | ||
| Place of death | Kroonstad, South Africa | ||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2003 | School of Excellence[2] | ||
| 2003 | Chelsea | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2003–2009 | Chelsea | 0 | (0) |
| 2003–2008 | → Westerlo (loan) | 93 | (6) |
| 2008–2010 | Kaizer Chiefs | 6 | (1) |
| 2010–2011 | SuperSport United | 8 | (0) |
| Total | 107 | (6) | |
| International career | |||
| 2004–2007 | South Africa | 5 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
Club career
Born in Kroonstad, Free State,[2] Ntuka joined English club Chelsea in 2003 and spent five years on loan at Belgium club Westerlo,[3] making 93 league appearances for them.[4] Ntuka returned to South Africa in 2009, making his debut for Kaizer Chiefs in May 2009.[5] After battling alcohol problems,[6] Ntuka later played for SuperSport United.[4] He was released by United in 2011.
International career
Ntuka earned five caps for South Africa between 2004 and 2007.[4] He made his debut on 18 August 2004 in a 2–0 win over Tunisia coming in for Nasief Morris in the 88th minute.[7] Ntuka was a member of South Africa's squad at the 2005 COSAFA Cup, but had to withdraw due to injury.[8] He played his last match on 27 May 2006.[9]
Death
Ntuka was stabbed to death in Kroonstad during the early hours of 21 January 2012.[3] His killer, April Jao, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment in November 2013.[10]