logo
Tragedy strikes Durban City FC as footballer dies after collapsing

Tragedy strikes Durban City FC as footballer dies after collapsing

News2423-04-2025
A Durban City FC player, Sinamandla Zondi, died after collapsing ahead of a Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) match against Milford FC at Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday night.
Zondi, 22, reportedly collapsed in the warm-up ahead of the match. He was attended to by paramedics before being rushed to hospital. The defender, however, did not survive.
The match went ahead but was suspended at half-time, with Milford leading 1-0.
A statement from Durban City FC read: "It is with sadness that we confirm the passing of Sinamandla Zondi, aka Sgora, a loved member of the Durban City family.
"Sinamandla was more than a talented footballer, he was a team-mate, a friend, a brother, a son and an inspiration to all who knew him.
"Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends, teammates coaches and everyone affected by this tragic loss. We will continue to support those close to him during this difficult time."
Durban City, who were previously known as Maritzburg United, currently lead the Motsepe Foundation Championship and look likely to be promoted to the top-tier Betway Premiership.
They boast 46 points after 25 matches and enjoy a five-point lead over second-placed Kruger United, who have played 26 games.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

PSL rookies Durban City appoint veteran coach Gavin Hunt: ‘His record speaks for itself'
PSL rookies Durban City appoint veteran coach Gavin Hunt: ‘His record speaks for itself'

News24

time4 days ago

  • News24

PSL rookies Durban City appoint veteran coach Gavin Hunt: ‘His record speaks for itself'

Durban City have appointed Gavin Hunt as their coach for the 2025-26 season that kicks off in August. Hunt joins City just under four months after he was fired by the now defunct SuperSport United. His appointment fills the post that was left vacant when City's management couldn't agree terms with Simo Dladla, who won the club promotion to the first division. For more PSL news, please visit the News24 local soccer page. Durban City have gone for experience in assembling a technical team that will lead the premier division rookies in the 2025-26 season that kicks off in August. Veteran coach Gavin Hunt will lead that team after the club confirmed his appointment on Wednesday. 🌊Citizens, let's welcome Gavin Hunt. Our New Head Coach. Bringing a winning legacy to our team, our city. A new chapter begins. 💙 #WelcomeGavinHunt #DurbanCityFC #OurTeamOurCity — Durban City FC (@DurbanCity_FC) July 9, 2025 Hunt, who has managed more than 1 000 matches in the country's elite league, fills the post that was vacant after Simo Dladla left City. Dladla and the club's management couldn't agree on a new deal after the coach guided the franchise to the promised land by winning the Motsepe Foundation Championship. Dladla ended up joining AmaZulu to serve as Arthur Zwane's assistant coach. Hunt will assume the role with the mandate of retaining City's status in the premier division. 'His record speaks for itself and we believe he is the right person to lead our team in this exciting new era,' said City's chair Farouk Kadodia in a statement. 'His professionalism, football knowledge and winning mentality are exactly what the club needs as we strive to compete at the highest level.' City are rumoured to be looking at appointing Ernst Middendorp as technical director. The German has a long history with the club in their previous incarnation as Maritzburg United, before they relocated to Durban and changed their name. Hunt and Middendorp are among the Premier Soccer League's most experienced coaches. Things, however, didn't end well in their previous jobs. Hunt was fired just under four months ago at SuperSport United, with the team narrowly avoiding relegation on their last day. Middendorp's Cape Town Spurs had no such luck. The Cape side was relegated from the first division to the amateur ranks, a season after they were demoted to the Motsepe Foundation Championship from the elite league under the guidance of the German coach.

No Sundowns players as Broos names new-look Bafana squad for important June friendlies
No Sundowns players as Broos names new-look Bafana squad for important June friendlies

News24

time29-05-2025

  • News24

No Sundowns players as Broos names new-look Bafana squad for important June friendlies

With the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations sharpening into view, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has named his 23-man squad for a pair of international friendlies next month against Tanzania and Mozambique. Ranked 56th in the latest FIFA rankings, South Africa will first welcome 107th-ranked Tanzania to the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday, 6 June. Four days later, on Tuesday, 10 June, they'll clash with 96th-ranked Mozambique at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria. The friendlies are more than just warm-ups - they're key tune-ups for what promises to be a demanding calendar, with World Cup qualification and the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco fast approaching. The continental showpiece kicks off this December and will spill into early 2026. Broos named a wide 41-man provisional squad last week, but now, he's trimmed it to a tight 23. Noticeably absent from the selection are players from Mamelodi Sundowns - unsurprising, given the Betway Premiership champions will be representing Africa at the prestigious FIFA Club World Cup in the United States from 15 June. The omission of the Sundowns core has forced Broos to reshuffle his pack, offering opportunities to fringe players and rising talents keen to stake their claim on the international stage. The team will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday, 1 June, before heading to Polokwane later that same day.

SA soccer protests: This movie keeps repeating itself
SA soccer protests: This movie keeps repeating itself

News24

time25-05-2025

  • News24

SA soccer protests: This movie keeps repeating itself

Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix Last-minute protests take away the shine from deserving teams. Durban City's celebrations were put on hold after allegations surfaced of an improperly registered player. PSL DC dismissed JDR Stars' complaint. There's a saying that I like: 'The more things change, the more they stay the same.' This rings true with the shenanigans we are now accustomed to every time the domestic soccer season is about to end. It will not be a campaign without the last-minute drama of protests as clubs try everything to wrestle points from others, via the boardroom. Same script, just different personnel. It's almost guaranteed that complaints will surface, even in the last fixture of the season. We all know that PSL prosecutor Zola Majavu works overtime as he tries to adjudicate these cases. I have seen this movie before. What a damp squib. It is mind-boggling to see this conveniently happening every season, particularly after each campaign. Although there is nothing wrong with lodging protests, waiting until the last minute raises eyebrows. Is this a last resort to gain valuable points, perhaps? It's always been the case with the Motsepe Foundation Championship, whose image is brought into disrepute at the culmination of each campaign. I might be wrong, but this makes a mockery of the system. The only good thing is that the cases are formally prosecuted by competent tribunals, where the aggrieved parties are given a fair chance to argue their cases. The fact that there's a formal process for lodging protests and a disciplinary committee to address these issues suggests that the PSL has a structured mechanism for resolving disputes. This contributes to a perception of fairness and transparency. Protests in football, by their nature, can have varying effects on the league's image, depending on the context and the reasons behind these disputes. Most protests have been over player eligibility, and this can help ensure that teams adhere to the rules and regulations, maintaining the league's integrity. This is crucial for fans' trust and engagement. However, it is baffling that they only happen at the end of the campaign when the alleged misconduct has been happening throughout the season. This doesn't augur well for the image of the league. As much as it promotes transparency and fairness, it could also have negative implications, particularly with public perception. Repeated or contentious protests might give the impression that the league is plagued by disputes or its rules are not clear enough, potentially deterring the fans and sponsors. Whether we like it or not, these protests are not only overshadowing the sporting aspects of the league, but they are also affecting the overall image of the league. But, while protests can catalyse the necessary discussions and improvements, the questions are: Are these protests legitimate or are they driven by other motivations? At this rate, those who complain are turning our football into a circus. It's boring now. Taking away the excitement I mean, it takes away the excitement and affects the celebrations. My heart bleeds for Durban City, who could not celebrate winning the NFD title, which secured them a spot in the Betway Premiership. They were not handed the trophy, with their promotion put on hold following a protest about the ineligibility of their player, Saziso Magawana. Later in the week, the PSL disciplinary committee dismissed JDR Stars' case after they alleged that Magawana had been improperly registered. A similar case by Cape Town Spurs has been referred to arbitration. While City could be crowned champions after all this drama, it will not be the same as celebrating the win on the pitch. Football is played on the field and not in the boardroom, and the sooner everyone knows and understands this, the better.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store