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TimesLIVE
24-04-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Sinamandla Zondi's family shocked after death of their ‘healthy boy'
Before Durban City midfielder Sinamandla Zondi tragically collapsed in the prematch warm-up of Tuesday's game against Milford FC, his father and 'No 1 fan', Lungisani Zondi, was in the crowd, looking forward to watching his son play. It was only an hour later Lungisani Zondi learnt of his 22-year-old son's death. Sinamandla Zondi had been rushed to hospital from Tuesday night's Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) match between second-tier leaders Durban City and seventh-placed Milford. When news came back he player had died, the match was abandoned at half time with Mildford 1-0 up. Family spokesperson Ntokozo Ndlovu, Sinamandla Zondi's uncle, described events from brother Lungisani Zondi's perspective. 'My brother is distraught — he never missed his [Zondi's] games, especially the home ones, so he was also there yesterday as his No 1 supporter,' Ndlovu said on Wednesday.
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
The alarming trend of player fatalities in South African football
TRAGEDY Durban City midfielder Sinamandla Zondi died following a sudden collapse during a Motsepe Foundation Championship match against Milford FC on Tuesday. Photo: Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix Image: Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix Another young life, full of promise and potential, has been cut short on South Africa's football fields. On Tuesday, Zondi collapsed while playing for his club – formerly Maritzburg United – forcing their Motsepe Foundation Championship game against Milford FC to be abandoned. Attempts to revive him proved futile, and the club confirmed he died in hospital. Football players suddenly losing their lives is something that been happening far too often in South African football. Just this decade alone, the league has already lost Bonginkosi Ntuli (32), Siphamandla Mtolo (29), Steven Ncanana (36), Lesiba Ramabula (21), and Nkanyiso Mngwengwe (30). And in 2018, Maritzburg United's Luyanda Ntshangase died at just the age of 21. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. These are just the ones who died following illness. AmaZulu's Ntuli died from an 'aggressive form of cancer', while Richards Bay captain Mtolo and Golden Arrows' skipper Mngwengwe both succumbed to suspected heart related issues. Both 21-year-olds, Ntshangase and Ramabula, died after being struck by lightning during training. There have also been those who died after being victims of crime. A little over a year ago, Kaizer Chiefs defender Luke Fleurs died after being shot in a hijacking incident. And in 2023, Stellenbosch FC defender and SA U20 captain Oshwin Andries died on his way to hospital a couple of days after being stabbed during a party. These two were a stark reminder of the realities of life in South Africa. But, the biggest killer of South African footballers over the past 25 years has been car accidents. Since 2000, 12 players, and nine in the last 10 years, have lost their lives on the road. In a space of two years, Maritzburg United lost two players – Mondli Cele and Mlondi Dlamini – in what was a tragic period for the club. The Henyekane family suffered the worst tragedy December 2014 and April 2015 when brothers Joseph and Richard died in separate accidents. Joseph was playing for second tier Roses United at the time, while Bafana forward Richard was at Free State Stars, on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns. The other stars who died in car accidents were: Lesley Manyathela, Gift Leremi, Cecil Lolo, Mogau Tshehl, Sinethemba Jantjie, Thembinkosi Mbamba, Anele Ngcongca, and Motjeka Madisha. Due to a lot of these accidents happening in the early hours of the morning, it has often been speculated that alcohol played a part. What more will it take for real action to be taken? The repeated tragedies facing South African footballers — whether through preventable health issues, crime, or road accidents — are not just isolated incidents, but symptoms of deeper systemic failures. The footballing fraternity must stop treating these losses as tragic footnotes and start demanding change. From mandatory health protocols and mental health support to better road safety education and stronger crime prevention efforts, it's time for football authorities, clubs, and society at large to treat the lives of players with the urgency and care they deserve. Enough mourning — what we need now is accountability. IOL Sport * The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media. ** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Send us an email with your comments, thoughts or responses to iolletters@ Letters should be a maximum of 500 words, and may be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Submissions should include a contact number and physical address (not for publication).
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Durban City confirm the death of defender Sinamandla Zondi
TRAGEDY Durban City midfielder Sinamandla Zondi died following a sudden collapse during a Motsepe Foundation Championship match against Milford FC on Tuesday. Picture: BackpagePix Durban City confirmed the passing of Sinamandla Zondi ahead of their Motsepe Foundation Championship clash against Milford on Tuesday night. Zondi reportedly collapsed in the warm-up before the start of the second-tier match and passed away on his way to hospital. The club announced that the game had been abandoned by the officials due to unforeseen circumstances at half-time, while the PSL would announce further details in due course. The club, thereafter, took to their social media platforms to reveal that Zondi had passed on. The cause of death was still to be determined. "It is with deep sadness that we confirm the passing of Sinamandla Zondi, aka Sgora, a loved member of the Durban City family," the club said in a statement. "Sinamandla was more than a talented footballer, He was a teammate, 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."
Daily Mail
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footballer dies aged 22 after collapsing during pregame warm-up
South African footballer Sinamandla Zondi died on Tuesday after collapsing in the warm-up before a second-tier match, his club Durban City said. The 22-year-old was taken to hospital ahead of Durban's game against Milford FC and the match was abandoned at halftime when officials were told Zondi had died. Due to the severity of the injury, an ambulance rushed him to the hospital, however, he passed away before arriving at the healthcare facility. The cause of death was still to be determined. 'It is with deep sadness that we confirm the passing of Sinamandla Zondi, aka Sgora, a loved member of the Durban City family,' the club said in a statement. '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. Durban City posted a touching tribute to the 22-year-old on social media announcing the news 'Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends, team-mates, coaches and everyone affected by this tragic loss. 'We will continue to support those close to him during this difficult time.' The defender made his professional debut in September 2021 and had been a regular for his club this season as they sit top of the standings and are on course for promotion to the top flight of South African football. The club made an announcement on social media shortly after half-time in their clash with Milford, with Durban City 1-0 down at the time, that the game had been suspended with more details set to follow. His death comes two years after Richards Bay FC player Siphamandla Mtolo died on the field of play during a training session. Mtolo collapsed during a training session with 15 minutes to go, according to reports, and struggled to breathe. Though he was rushed to hospital in a private car thought to be own by the club's general manager, he tragically passed away.
Eyewitness News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Durban City's midfielder Sinamandla Zondi dies after collapsing ahead of game
JOHANNESBURG - Tragedy struck the South African football fraternity on Tuesday evening as Durban City player Sinamandla Zondi died during his team's match at Chatsworth Stadium. Reports indicate that Zondi, a 22-year-old midfielder, collapsed while his team was warming up for a crucial Motsepe Foundation Championship fixture against fellow KZN club, Milford FC. Zondi was given emergency treatment by paramedics and taken to the hospital, while the game got underway.
