The club reports that Richards Bay FC midfielder Siphamandla Mtolo passed away on Tuesday after falling in training. Age-wise, Mtolo was only 29.
The team announced Mtolo’s death on social media on Tuesday (07-03-2023) morning, saying they had no other information to provide and asking that the family’s “privacy be respected in this difficult time of bereavement.”
The club’s statement did not specify how the member died.
“His presence both on and off the pitch will be sorely missed. Thoughts and prayers of everyone in Richards Bay Football Club are with his family, friends and loved ones.”
CNN’s request for comment from Mtolo’s agent at Richards Bay FC went unanswered at the time of publication. A further statement on Mtolo’s death was promised “in due course,” according to the Richards Bay FC post.
The Premier Soccer League, the governing body of professional football in South Africa, also made a statement via its official Twitter account.
“The PSL is deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Richards Bay Football Club midfielder, Siphamandla Mtolo,” it reads.
“A moment of silence will be observed in his honour at this week’s Nedbank Cup and DStv Diski Challenge fixtures.”
You may not know, but this year has seen some prominent fatalities. Via our reporting, you can learn of their deaths:
Cape Town City FC and Kaizer Chiefs are just two of the other teams in the league to express their condolences on social media. The South African Football Association conveyed their “sincerest condolences, deepest sympathy, and heartfelt sadness” in a press release.
Mtolo signed with Richards Bay FC in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa in 2020. As a member of the 2021/22 GladAfrica Champion squad, he advanced to the highest level of competition in the country.
