Football Player Collapses and Dies After League Match in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal

• A football player tragically collapsed and died after a league match at the Verulam Recreational Grounds on Todd Street in KwaZulu-Natal
• Witnesses said the player had seemed fit and in good form throughout the game, leaving teammates shocked when he complained of breathing difficulties
• Reaction Unit South Africa and the police confirmed his death at the scene, with authorities opening a docket to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident

A football player in Verulam, north of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, collapsed and died on the pitch on Saturday, 16 August, during a league match at the Verulam Recreational Grounds on Todd Street.

According to the Daily Sun, he was with his teammates when he suddenly fell ill and died on the spot.

Residents said the man, aged 59, played for the over-50s football team. Although he was not from the immediate area, locals often saw him playing and noted that he appeared fit and in good form. His sudden collapse shocked his teammates.

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Prem Balram, spokesman for Reaction Unit South Africa, confirmed that the deceased, who had finished playing and was in the changing room with teammates, reportedly complained of respiratory distress and lost consciousness.

Paramedics arrived at 16:52 but pronounced him deceased at the scene. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda said a docket had been opened to investigate the incident.

Similar past incidents (athlete collapse in Howick)

This incident comes after a similar one on 6 July, when an unnamed male athlete died after passing out during a race in Howick, in the heart of the Midlands region, 90km from Durban. According to Emergency Services, the man collapsed and passed away before reaching the finish line. He was found on-site in cardiac arrest by paramedics.

According to spokesperson Roland Robertson, CPR was performed along with Advanced Life Support. He said the patient was placed on a manual ventilator and received multiple shocks from a defibrillator in an attempt to restore a heartbeat.

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He explained that after a prolonged effort to stabilise the patient, a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was achieved on scene.

Comrades Marathon incident

The Comrades Marathon incident, which happened in June, was another tragedy in the sporting world when a runner went missing after completing the race. Moira Harding, who was found 15 hours later by construction workers, managed to contact her husband. Emergency services were called, and she was hospitalised after collapsing due to low sodium levels.

The 54-year-old from Cape Town had completed the gruelling ultramarathon on Sunday but failed to reunite with friends or family afterwards, prompting an overnight search.

Authorities eventually located Harding near the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) base in central Durban, specifically on Point Road. She was found in a critical condition and was swiftly airlifted to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment.

Former Orlando Pirates striker dies

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Briefly News previously reported that former Orlando Pirates striker Tendai Ndoro has passed away at the age of 40 after reportedly battling a long-term illness.

The Zimbabwean international had a successful spell while playing in the Premier Soccer League. He arrived in South Africa 12 years ago when he joined Mpumalanga Black Aces after his impressive performance at the COSAFA Cup with the Warriors and Chicken Inn.

Source: Briefly News