By Mark Gleeson BBC Sport Online in South Africa

Manyathela was the top scorer in South Africa last season

Late South African striker Lesley Manyathela, killed in a car crash on Saturday night, had emerged as a much sought-after commodity in the last few months.

Just 21, tall with pace and a deadly finish, he was a rare breed of striker, with a proven goal-scoring record and still young enjoy to be of great interest to the European market.

Manyathela, born in September 1981, had already been on trial at OFI Crete and Lyon, the French champions.

Both of the moves fell through due to medical problems and was set to sign Dinamo Kyiv in the Ukraine.

As a teenager he was already hot property and the subject of a tug of war between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, the country's two glamour clubs, for his signature.

Pirates won the battle and had him in the first team in September 2000, where Manyathela played a role in helping the side win the title in 2001.

But he really came into his own in the last campaign, where Pirates were again the champions, scoring 18 goals to finish as the league's leading goalscorer.

Manyathela was also one of the candidates for the Footballer of the Year award, won by his captain Mbulelo Mabizela.

He had a total of 40 goals in his career playing 63 league and cup matches over a period a month short of three years.