Two teen thugs who stabbed a young man to death after provoking a row on a night bus face life behind bars.

Junior Lubango and Starfield Badza, both 19, were found guilty today of murdering 21-year-old roofer Billy Ward in front of his girlfriend and dozens of horrified passengers.

The pair lured the victim off the bus for a fist fight and knifed him nine times in the chest including a fatal wound to his heart.

Lubango, a gifted footballer who claims to have had trials with Celtic, and Badza were both unanimously convicted of murder by a jury of ten.

The victim's dad, Bill Ward, his mum Jenny and his sister sat in the well of court holding hands as the verdicts were announced.

Judge Christopher Moss QC told the killers he would sentence them on November 18.

He said: “The sentence for murder is fixed by law and it will be a sentence of custody for life.”

Jurors heard how Mr Ward got on the N159 night bus with girlfriend Carrie-Anne in East Croydon at around 3am on December 8 last year.

As they climbed to the top of the deck, Badza - wearing a distinctive red cap - told the girl not to smoke on the bus.

Mr Ward replied that the girl was not smoking and the two men got into an argument.

Eventually, after being provoked by Badza, Mr Ward followed him off the bus.

Witnesses described to the court how Mr Ward was put into a headlock and then stabbed in the chest.

Mr Ward, who lived with his parents in New Addington, collapsed with blood pouring from the wounds in his side as his attackers ran off.

The victim's friends tried to chase the pair but Badza laughed and shouted: “We will do you as well.”

Billy Ward was pronounced dead at Mayday Hospital at 4.30am.

Badza and Lubango later blamed each other for the fatal wounds, with Lubango even claiming he had been the peacemaker.