Siphamandla Mtolo: CAF President Patrice Motsepe Sends His Condolences to Mtolo's Loved Ones

• The South African footballing fraternity is still coming to terms with the sudden death of Siphamandla Mtolo
• The Richards Bay FC player collapsed and passed away during training on Monday
• CAF president and his compatriot Patrice Motsepe has sent his condolences in the wake of the tragedy

South African football is still trying to make sense of the tragic passing of Siphamandla Mtolo.

'Spepe', as he was fondly knowns, collapsed and passed away during a Richards Bay FC practice on Monday morning.

According to the Premier Soccer League, CAF president Patrice Motsepe sent his condolences by saying:

"Dr Khoza Wa kogae. It is with profound sadness that I learned of the passing on of Siphamadla Mtolo, player of Richards Bay Football Club who collapsed during a Richards Bay Football Club training session on Tuesday 7 March 2023 in South Africa.

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"Please pass my personal and CAF’s deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Premier Soccer League Family. May God comfort you, the Premier Soccer League, his family, friends, and colleagues during this sad period."

According to News24, moments of silence will be held ahead of all Nedbank Cup and DStv Diski Challenge matches this week until Sunday.

The cause of Mtolo's death was yet to be officially revealed at the time of publication.

Ivorian Footballer collapses and dies

It was a weekend of sadness and mourning in Ivory Coast football.

During an Ivory Coast MTN Ligue 1 match between Racing Club Abidjan and Sol FC, Racing defender Moustapha Sylla collapsed after suffering what was later confirmed as a heart attack.

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He later succumbed to the medical emergency.

PSL, SAFA fight over VAR

There can never be peace for too long between the South African Football Association and the Premier Soccer League, Sports Brief has reported.

The two organisations are reportedly arguing over who will be in charge of implementing the video assistant referee system in the league. It appears that what does not work in SAFA's favour is that PSL has money to burn, putting them in the position to implement VAR independently.

However, the football association is the custodian of all referees in South Africa, so there would be technicalities difficult for the PSL to overcome.