A 51-year-old soccer player, Nndwamato Steven Mukhola of the Mukondeni Masters soccer team, collapsed and died during a match against Waterval Masters in the Hlanganani Masters League on Sunday at the Magangeni grounds.
Mukhola was a director for Environmental Quality Management at the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, and a former player for Mukondeni Innocent Defenders.
According to teammate Evans Sithi, Mukhola collapsed while the ball was out of play and without any contact with other players. He said the referee immediately attended to him and checked his condition before calling paramedics.
“They tried to revive him, but when they realised that Mukhola was not responding to treatment, they rushed him to Elim Hospital, where he was declared dead,” he said. “He just collapsed,” he added.
Sithi said the team was deeply saddened by his death and extended condolences to his family.
Family spokesperson Solly Mukhola said the incident had left the family with many unanswered questions.
“It is very difficult to accept the death of a healthy family member whom you last saw only a few hours earlier. Sometimes we feel it could not have happened to our family member, but we know it was his day,” said Solly.
The deputy chairperson of the Hlanganani Football Association, Nathy Mushaku, also expressed sadness at the news and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.
“News of this nature is heartbreaking and our thoughts are with the family and fellow team members,” said Mushaku.
Mukhola will be buried on Saturday, 16 May, at Mukondeni. The funeral service will start at 06:00.