Player’s death halts tournament
The tournament organisers have called off the junior tournament after the death of one of the Roo Stars team.
KABELO Qabalatsane, a 16-year-old soccer academy player from Roo Stars Football Club, collapsed during the opening match of the u.17 Engen Champ of Champs tournament against Old Mutual Academy, in Pretoria, on Friday, October 7, and tragically died later during the day.
This was despite the young player receiving medical attention from the match doctor who was on site, and being immediately admitted to the Steve Biko Memorial Hospital.
As a mark of respect to the family and the soccer fraternity, the tournament organisers have called off the junior tournament, following consultation with all the teams taking part.
The CEO of host club SuperSport United FC, Stan Matthews, expressed his condolences to the family and the club at the tragic event.
“No words can fully express our grief and shock at this tragedy,” he said.
”Unfortunately, we cannot make any further comment until we have received the official medical report as to what caused this tragedy.
”At this sad time our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his teammates and everyone at Roo Stars, and all those present when the incident occurred.”
The tournament took place between the winners of the Engen Champions of the various regions in South Africa, who were Orlando Pirates (Gatueng winners) from the South, Old Mutual (Western Cape), Umqhele High School (KwaZulu-Natal), Roos Stars (Freestate), Chippa United (Eastern Cape) and hosts SuperSport United (North Gauteng).
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