Former Zambian international Philemon Mulala is beaten to death by his three lap dogs in his garden

Philemon Mulala has died aged 60 after his wife found him in his own garden after being bitten by his own dogs.

The former Zambian international was pronounced dead on the spot on Saturday January 7 in Lichtenburg, South Africa.

Tributes have been paid to the ex-Copper Bullets star, who spent time with Mufulira Wanderers and Cape Town Spurs during his playing days.

Philemon Mulala was found dead in the garden of his South African home after being mauled by his three dogs

The three dogs have since been removed from the property by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

A police statement, read by Spokesman Sam Tsulanyane, described the circumstances under which his wife found his body.

It read: “She didn’t bother to check what was going on [when the dogs were barking] as their home is on a busy street and the dogs frequently barked at passers-by and passing vehicles.

‘After the power was restored [after loadshedding]She went in looking for her husband but could not find him.

“As the woman continued her search, the woman saw her husband lying motionless outside in the garden.

The general secretary of the Zambian Football Association said the country remains “with wonderful memories” of the late player

“She then went outside only to find the husband was bitten by their dogs.”

He scored three goals in six games for Zambia and played in various positions throughout his career, including left-back and right winger.

Perhaps the defining moment of his career came when he scored a brace against Kenya in the semifinals of the East and Central African Championship (CECAFA) that his side would go on to win.

And the Zambian FA were quick to pay tribute to their late former player who helped bring his first silverware.

Avram Grant recently took charge of the team ranked 88th in the world by FIFA

Spokesperson Sydney Mungala said: “It’s such a tragic ending. Many who have been watching him, particularly Mufulira Wanderers fans, have poured out their sorrow.

“Many remember him from the national team days, when he won Zambia’s first major post-independence silver prize. [Since retiring] he had ventured into business in South Africa.’

And FAZ General Secretary Adrian Kashala added: “We have wonderful memories that the late Philemon honored us with on the pitch.

“There’s a lot today’s players can learn from the generation that died.”