SOCCER – What began as an ordinary afternoon of football among friends ended in tragedy when 16-year-old Simo Ricardo Maseko collapsed and died after missing a late scoring chance during an informal match at Maphalaleni Lubunjini, near Global Ministries Church last Wednesday.
Maseko, a Form III pupil at Mhlatane High School, had joined his friends for a casual game during the school holidays. Those close to him described football as one of the activities he enjoyed and regularly took part in.
However, the game ended tragically when Maseko suddenly collapsed on the field at the end of the match after he missed a scoring opportunity.
According to an eyewitness who later narrated the incident to the family, the game had entered extra time when Maseko unleashed a powerful shot that struck the crossbar. After the missed opportunity, he collapsed and appeared to suffer from what looked like a seizure.
His friends immediately rushed to his aid but despite their efforts, Maseko died shortly afterwards.
His sudden death has left his family searching for answers, particularly because they were unaware of any medical condition that could have caused his collapse.
His mother, Nelisiwe Mdluli-Maseko, said the family was still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy and was awaiting the post-mortem examination to establish the exact cause of death.
“It is true that Simo passed on after missing a goal, as narrated by one of the boys who was there playing with him. This was not a formal tournament; they were simply playing as they normally do. I was away when I received the call telling me that he was no more. I could not believe it until I got to the scene,” she said.
For the grieving mother, the tragedy has also raised concerns about the emotional impact on the children who witnessed their friend die in front of them.
“I feel for the children. Seeing one of their friends losing his life is a picture they will never forget. We are awaiting the post-mortem, which will give us the exact cause of death. We are hoping that this will give us closure,” she said.
Mdluli-Maseko said the family was also anxious about the possibility that Maseko could have suffered from an undiagnosed medical condition.
She described him as an active youngster and said the family had never been aware of any health problem. However, he was known for his love of the sport and was often seen supporting the school teams.
Maseko will be laid to rest at his parental home in Maphalaleni Lubunjini on Saturday, following a night vigil on Friday.
He is survived by his parents and siblings, who have been left to mourn the sudden loss of a young life.
Dr Melusi Lukhele has extended his condolences to the Maseko family while emphasising the importance of medical assessments for children and athletes before they participate in competitive sport.
Lukhele said the circumstances surrounding Simo Maseko’s death could potentially point to cardiac arrest, although the exact cause would have to be medically established.
“Before taking part in sport, athletes should be medically cleared. Every athlete should undergo a pre-competition medical assessment. Children, in particular, should participate under close supervision.
“Unfortunately, they may not be aware of the potential risks and simply want to enjoy themselves while playing sport.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the Maseko family during this difficult time.”
