Philemon Mulala, whose goals helped Zambia win their first cup against Kenya in 1984, was found dead by his wife (Photo: Football Association of Zambia)

A former international has been bitten to death by his three dogs.

Former Zambian star Philemon Mulala, 60, was found dead on Saturday by his wife Lilian Chileshe in the garden of their home in Lichtenburg, South Africa.

Police spokesman Sam Tselanyane told the Zambian press that emergency services were called to the couple’s home just after 3pm.

Lilian said she was baking scones with a family friend when she heard the dogs barking, but she didn’t go to see what was going on because they often barked at pedestrians and passing vehicles.

Speaking to local reporters, she said the animals bit her husband’s throat and his face and arms were also injured.

She said he loves the dogs, who have lived with the family since they were puppies and never thought their pets would attack them.

Members of the local community describe Mulala as someone “who was nice people and loved people”, adding that they were “sad about the incident”.

The dogs — two Staffie Pitbull crosses and a third dog of an unknown breed named Prosper, Blessing and Bulldozer — have been removed from the property by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) since the incident.

Zambia national football team goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene (L) celebrates with Davis Nkausu (R) after their victory against the Ivory Coast at the Stade de l'Amitie in Libreville on February 12, 2012 during their Africa Cup of Nations final ( CAN 2012). ) match between Ivory Coast and Zambia. AFP PHOTO / ISSOUF SANOGO (Photo credit should read ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images)

Zambia’s national football team celebrates after beating Ivory Coast in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Photo: AFP via Getty Images)

A former member of Mufulira Wanderers, Zambia’s most famous football club, Mulala impressed by scoring twice against Kenya in the 1984 East and Central Africa Challenge (CECAFA) Cup, where Zambia won its first international cup.

He later moved to South Africa where he represented Cape Town Spurs and Dynamos FC in the National Professional Soccer League, joining the company after his retirement.

The Zambian Football Association (FAZ) reports this in a Facebook message ‘mourns with the rest of the football family‘ the deceased player, a ‘brave soldier”, whose performance earned him the nickname Shombo (hard worker) throughout his career.

FAZ Secretary General Adrian Kashala added: ‘We are left with wonderful memories in honor of the late Philemon us on the field.

“Today’s players can learn a lot from the generation that has passed.‘

Biographica, a leading media outlet that celebrates the achievements of African public figures, described Mulala as a “legend” on Twitter, adding that “our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

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