Tragedy Hits Football As Player Suddenly Collapses and Dies on the Pitch After Match
- A 59-year-old footballer has died suddenly after a veterans’ league match in Verulam
- Paramedics confirmed the player’s death after sudden respiratory distress during a football match
- Police open an inquest docket to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy
A football match in Verulam, north of Durban, ended in heartbreaking scenes on Saturday, 16th August, when a 59-year-old man collapsed and died shortly after the game.
The player, who was part of an “over-50s” soccer team, had just completed a match at the Verulam Recreational Grounds when the incident occurred.
Source: UGC
According to Daily Sun, eyewitnesses said the footballer showed no signs of health complications during the game.
He reportedly played well and seemed fit, which made his sudden collapse even more shocking to his teammates and onlookers.
One resident from Verulam who regularly watches community matches described the incident as deeply saddening.
“We don’t know him personally, but we often saw the team play here. He looked fine during the match, so many of us were stunned when we heard he had passed away,” the resident said.
Paramedics confirm sudden death
Shortly after the match ended, the player joined his teammates in the changing area, where it was at this point that he suddenly experienced severe respiratory distress before losing consciousness.
Source: Getty Images
According to SNL24, efforts to save him were unsuccessful, as he was later confirmed dead.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) spokesman, Prem Bairam, confirmed the tragic incident, revealing that paramedics were called immediately but could not revive the player.
“The deceased was a member of an over-50s soccer team. He completed a match and was in the changing area with his teammates when he reportedly experienced sudden respiratory distress and lost consciousness. Paramedics arrived and pronounced him deceased at approximately 16:52,” Bairam said.
The shocking death has left his teammates and the local football community in mourning.
Many described the tragedy as a reminder of how unpredictable life can be, even in seemingly ordinary moments.
Police to investigate cause of death
Authorities have now stepped in to investigate the circumstances surrounding the sudden death.
KZN police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that police in Verulam have opened an inquest docket.
“Police are investigating the incident in which a 59-year-old man died after participating in a football match at recreational grounds in Verulam on 16 August. Circumstances which could have led to the death are being investigated,” Colonel Netshiunda explained.
While the exact cause of death remains unconfirmed, the tragedy has sparked conversations about health checks and safety protocols in veteran football leagues.
Only recently, former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai tragically passed after a brief illness in Lagos at the age of 61.
Rufai was one of Nigeria’s golden generation that excelled at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, where the Super Eagles reached the Round of 16 in both tournaments.
Ex-Orlando Pirates star dies in his home
In a related development, Legit.ng reported that former Zimbabwean international and well-known Orlando Pirates striker, Tendai Ndoro, has tragically passed away at the age of 40.
Reports indicate he was found unresponsive at his apartment in Johannesburg on Monday, though the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.
Source: Legit.ng
