He was killed in his home town, Kroonstad, by men witnesses claim to be his friends.

The drama unfolded at 3am at the home of his mistress, Morwesi Temeki.

Eyewitnesses say Ntuka first met his attackers at Strikes Tavern, where he was drinking with a friend known only as Tshepo, his lover Temeki and her friend Matseko Setona.

Ntuka's friend Teboho Mthimkhulu says he spoke to Ntuka at the tavern earlier and the star told him he was hanging with Tshepo from Pretoria.

Mthimkhulu says: "When I met Jeffrey, he introduced me to Tshepo and other people who were in the car with him.

"I told him I'd see him later and drove to Times Tavern.

"While I was there, Jeffrey arrived with his friends.

"Suddenly there was an argument in Tshepo's car and I saw a woman shouting.

"I drove away as I didn't know what the problem was," says Mthimkhulu.

He says that was the last time he saw Ntuka.

Sunday World went to the scene where Ntuka was killed, 2m from his mistress's house.

One eyewitness, Sana Moeketsi, says: "Seven guys came walking from the east and four guys were about to pass Tshepo's Mecerdes Benz when Jeffrey asked one of them, Mix Leshodi, for a light.

"They gave him a match to light his ciggie and the other guys came to the car.

"Tshepo got pissed off and told them to leave his car or he would shoot them.

"They left but in few minutes they came back and Jeffrey jumped out of the car to tell them he needed to be left alone with his friends."

Witnesses say when Ntuka told Mix, who they say was the soccer star's longtime friend, to tell his friends to leave them alone, Mix had an altercation with Ntuka.

"Jeffrey slapped Mix and he left but later his group came back and they fought.

"One guy pulled out a knife. I tried to pull Jeffrey away, but it was too late.

"The guy had already stabbed him in his chest.

"Jeffrey managed to get hold of a bottle but he lost power and fell on top of the bottle he was holding and it stabbed him on his neck," says Moeketsi.

Ntuka's mistress Temeki says: "Jeffrey was killed by his friends because of jealousy. As we speak, I am pregnant with his child."

Ntuka's wife Phumzile says her hubby left the house on Thursday with a friend.

"I learnt this morning about his death. I'm devastated by how he died," she says.

Ntuka's brother Thabo says: "I identified his body. The cops are investigating."

Maokeng police spokesperson Langa Maselela says a murder case has been opened.

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) say they learnt with shock the news of passing on of the former Bafana Bafana and Under-23 defender.

PSL acting CEO Cambridge Mokanyane says: "Today the country and football family lost one of their most promising defenders. Jeffrey was a talented individual. We were still expecting a lot from him.

"I'd like to send a message of condolence to his grieving family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult moment."

"Jeffrey will be missed by thousands and millions of football supporters, not only in South Africa but in foreign countries where he made his mark."

Kaizer Chiefs football club also sent "heartfelt condolences to Ntuka's family and friends."

Ntuka joined the Transnet Sport School of Excellence in 2001.

Ntuka spent the better half of his early football career in Europe, playing mainly in Belgium after Chelsea had loaned him to Westerlo.

In 2005 then Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter introduced the then little known defender to international football. - Additional reporting by Kgomotso Sethusha

•mdakaneb@sundayworld.co.za and sethushak@sundayworld.co.za

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