South Africa mourn former coach Dumitru

Romania-born Dumitru coached four African national teams during his career

Ted Dumitru, a former national coach of four African nations and some of South Africa’s top clubs, has died aged 76.

He passed away after collapsing at a Johannesburg shopping mall, with reports that he died of a heart attack.

The Romanian-born Dumitru coached Zambia, Swaziland, Namibia and South Africa as well as taking Mamelodi Sundowns to a Champions League final.

His correct surname was Dimitru, but was often incorrectly spelt Dumitru in South Africa.

He won several club honours in three decades in South Africa despite being a divisive figure.

Dumitru remained something of a mysterious figure throughout his career, with little neither known nor volunteered about his playing and coaching background.

Ted Dumitru’s Honours in South Africa:1987: Top 8 Cup (Kaizer Chiefs)1987: SA FA Cup (Kaizer Chiefs)1998: SA FA Cup (Mamelodi Sundowns)1997/98: League Champions (Mamelodi Sundowns)1998/99: League Champions (Mamelodi Sundowns)2003: SA League Cup (Kaizer Chiefs)2003/04: League Champions (Kaizer Chiefs)2004: SA League Cup (Kaizer Chiefs)2004/05: League Champions (Kaizer Chiefs)

But he was a youthful coach in the old North American Professional Soccer League where he took over the Rochester Lancers in 1974 and had the Ghanaians Frank Odoi and George Lamptey among his players.

He stayed in charge for the 1975 season but they finished bottom of their conference with just six victories in 22 games.

Dimitru then resurfaced as …

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