The players of Makhitha Oscar Stars were lucky to escape serious injuries in an accident. The bus they were travelling in collided with a vehicle on Saturday afternoon at Krogh Street, Louis Trichardt.
The team were on their way to play a match against Elim Madengwa United at Elim. This journey, unfortunately, turned into a journey to the Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital.
More than 20 people, including players, officials and supporters, were injured during the accident. The injured were taken to hospital but were discharged after receiving treatment.
Team manager Oscar Sirovha said they ha accepted what had happened and only hoped that the players would recover soon. "Our team is in position two in the Safa Vhembe MMK Administrator Stream E league. Our boys are ready to continue where they left off and take the league," said Sirovha.
One of the players, Sydney Luvhengo, said that the driver of the bus could not do anything to avoid crashing into the oncoming vehicle. "When we saw the car, we all shouted, but the car drove straight into our lane and collided with our bus," he said.
Luvhengo said that he only later realised that he had sustained an injury to his knee. "This accident made me believe that unroadworthy vehicles are indeed dangerous on the roads," he said.
During an interview with the president of Safa Vhembe, Mr George Kubayi, he said that although it was sad for them to learn about the accident, they were relieved to hear that no life was lost. He thanked the parents of the players for understanding that the accident had been caused by circumstances beyond the driver's control.
The matches that were supposed to be played last week by Mabedengwa United on Saturday and by Mpheni Home Defenders on Sunday, were postponed. The matches will be played on dates still to be decided by the league administrators.