South Africa and Orlando Pirates captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa was shot dead near Johannesburg, a police spokesman told AFP, with club officials describing his slaying as a "loss to the nation".
Lieutenant-General Solomon Makgale said Meyiwa, 27, was gunned down at a house in Vosloorus, a township about 30 kilometres south of the city, and declared dead on admission to hospital.
"We can confirm that Bucs (Pirates) goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa has been shot and sadly declared dead on arrival at hospital," the South African Police Service (SAPS) said on its Twitter feed.
Police later said there were seven people inside the house, including Meyiwa, when two suspects entered and another remained outside.
"The incident happened at around 2000 SA time (1800 GMT) in Vosloorus," said police who did not comment on some media reports that the shooting was sparked by a row over a mobile phone.
"There was an altercation and Senzo Meyiwa was shot. The three suspects fled on foot after the shooting.
"We can assure South Africans that we will do all we can to bring Meyiwa's killers to book.
"A reward of up to R150 000 ($14,000) is being offered for any information that can lead to arrests."
Pirates, one of the most popular and successful South African football clubs, also confirmed that the player had been killed.
"@Orlando_Pirates family has learned with sadness of the untimely death of our number 1 keeper & captain Senzo Meyiwa," the club tweeted.
Irvin Khoza, the club chairman, added: "This is a sad loss to Senzo's family especially his children, to Orlando Pirates & the nation."
Meyiwa played for his club in Soweto Saturday and has been in outstanding form for the national team during recent 2015 Africa Cup qualifiers.
The death of the national football team captain is the second tragedy to hit South African sport within three days after former world 800-metre athletics champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi died Friday in a car crash.
