Players of Malale United FC were very lucky to survive after the bakkie they were travelling in overturned on the Malale-Masisi Road at around 17:00 on Saturday, 31 July. The players were on their way back home from a tournament match at Sigonde 2.
The driver of the vehicle that transported the players apparently lost control after a pedestrian crossed the road in front of them.
Takalani Ndou, who was discharged with minor injuries, said that the accident happened very quickly. "There was really nothing the driver could have done to avoid the accident. A pedestrian walking next to the road just suddenly jumped right into the road. We all shouted, and the vehicle overturned," he recalled. The injured passengers were treated at Messina Hospital. At the time of our going to press, four of them were still in hospital, including the driver.
The team manager of Malale United FC, Mr Edwin Tshikonelo, said they were shocked when they heard about the accident. "We are in contact with the families and wish the more injured ones a speedy recovery," Tshikonelo said and thanked the community and teams around the area for all their support.
The secretary of the Musina Local Football Association (LFA), Mr Colbert Nempumbuluni, said that the team was not affiliated with his organisation, but the association was still relieved to hear that no lives had been lost. He wished the victims a speedy recovery.
Musina LFA was compelled to pause their league programme after the President's announcement of the national lockdown level 4 and 3. He appealed to soccer teams to stop playing matches during this period.