Man admits murdering footballer

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A man has admitted murdering a promising teenage footballer following a row over a girl.

Triston Burke, 19, of Croydon, south London, admitted at the Old Bailey to the murder of Oliver Kingonzila.

Burke, of Stanton Road, used a knife hidden in his shoe to stab the 19-year-old outside the E bar in Croydon on 13 September last year.

The pair were friends but fell out when Mr Kingonzila's brother started dating Burke's ex-girlfriend.

Burke was unwilling to accept the relationship had ended and threatened his former lover, who was now going out with Christopher Kingonzila, several times, the court heard.

Fight challenge

Burke also challenged Christopher to a fight but he refused as he feared he was carrying a knife, the jury was told.

On the night of the stabbing a fight broke out between the pair outside the nightclub.

The court was told Burke had concealed a kitchen knife in his trainers with the handle removed.

The footballer had started to walk away but Burke taunted him shouting "come on do something" and Mr Kingonzila punched him in the face, the court heard.

Doorman Paul Ujah saw blood on the victim and realised Burke had been using a weapon during the fight.

Mr Kingonzila bled to death after suffering nine stab wounds.

Prosecutor Jeremy Donne QC said Burke may have injured himself in the fight.

He said: "The defendant's use of the knife was so ferocious, and indeed indiscriminate, that he actually stabbed and injured a friend who had tried to separate the two men at the beginning of the altercation."

Burke claimed he acted in self defence and said he did not intend to kill the teenager.

Mr Kingonzila was a midfielder with the League Two side Barnet and had captained the England Colleges team.

Burke will be sentenced on 18 May.