Latest news with #SinamandlaZondi
The South African
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
BREAKING: PSL ruling in Durban City case announced
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has made a ruling in a case involving Motsepe Foundation Championship side Durban City. Durban City's promotion to the Betway Premiership was halted because they had a case to answer to. The case relates to the alleged ineligible of Sazi Magawana to play for Durban City following his move from Leruma United. However, the PSL Disciplinary Committee (PSL DC) dismissed the protests lodged against Durban City. As a result, Durban City are the legitimate Motsepe Foundation Championship winners, and they are officially back in topflight football. Durban City were relegated last season as Maritzburg United, but they worked hard to make an immediate return to the PSL. This victory can also be celebrated in memory of their fallen hero Sinamandla Zondi who recently passed away. Durban City's Sinamandla Zondi is no more. Image: Durban City/Facebook Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
News24
25-04-2025
- Sport
- News24
Promotion-chasing Durban City return to play days after death of player
Three days after the death of one of their team members, Sinamandla Zondi, Durban City will return to action where the midfielder collapsed. City will host Pretoria Callies at Chatsworth Stadium in a Motsepe Foundation Championship clash on Friday evening. Zondi collapsed during pre-match warm-up for City's league game against Milford at the same venue on Tuesday evening. The 22-year-old was rushed to Chatsmed Garden Hospital, but could not be resuscitated. By the time his death was confirmed at about 8pm, his side was trailing the visitors 1-0 at halftime. The match had to be abandoned. The PSL on Wednesday said it offered City an opportunity to postpone their next match, but the club opted to honour their fixture. In honour of Zondi's memory, a moment of silence was observed at all PSL matches played on Wednesday and the same will happen at this weekend's games. Zondi, originally from Greytown in northern KwaZulu-Natal, featured in almost all of City's games this season. With four matches remaining for most clubs, the race for a ticket to the premiership is heating up, with City the odds-on favourites to gain automatic promotion. The fight to finish second and third to secure PSL playoff spots, as well as the battle to avoid relegation, is just as intense. City, who changed their name from Maritzburg United to Durban City at the beginning of the season, lead the second-tier league with 46 points from 25 games, while Callies are in a relegation battle in second place from the bottom with 27 points from 25 matches. The race for automatic promotion is heating fight to finish second and third and the relegation battle is just as intense. @City_Press — Tiisetso Malepa (@TiisetsoMalepa) April 25, 2025 Other serious contenders for promotion are second-placed Orbit College, Black Leopards (third) and Kruger United (fourth). Orbit will host Kruger at Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg, while Leopards will be away to Milford on Sunday. Fast facts With 36 points from 24 games, Milford, seventh on the log, are also in with a realistic chance for automatic promotion or a spot in the playoffs. Fifth-placed Castic Stars (40 points from 26 games) and sixth-placed JDR Stars (39 points from 26 matches) are also in the race among top seven clubs. Stars will host Cape Town Spurs at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga, on Sunday. Spurs, in 13 th place with 28 points from 26 games, sit just a point above the bottom two clubs, Callies and Leruma United (24 points from 26 games). Callies and Leruma will be relegated to the amateur ranks of ABC Motsepe League if they finish there. Leruma will host University of Pretoria at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday. Venda Football Academy will host Upington City at Thohoyandou Stadium, while Baroka will be at home against Highbury at Global One Stadium in Lebowakgomo.
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
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.
