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.

Siphosethu Ndlabi opened the scoring for Milford through a penalty and the game reached the half-time break with City trailing 1-0 when Zondi’s death prompted officials to suspend any further play.

Zondi is the second active PSL player to die suddenly in recent years.

In 2023, Richards Bay FC player Siphamandla Mtolo died after collapsing during a training session with his team.

Durban City, formerly known as Maritzburg United, are currently leading the standings on the MFC table and is five points ahead of their closest rivals, Kruger FC, with five matches left in the season. The Durban club is chasing promotion to the top-flight following two seasons in the national first division.