Footballer Dies After Being Struck By Lightning During Match

Maritzburg United striker Luyanda Ntshangase has passed away, two months after being struck by lightning during a friendly match with SAB League side Arsenal in Pietermaritzburg.

Ntshangase, who was a South African youth international, was rushed to hospital where he was placed in an induced coma.

Back in March, coach Fadlu Davids asked people to pray for the 21-year-old after the bizarre incident occurred.

"He is still in ICU. We are asking the whole football fraternity to please pray for him so he can make a speedy recovery." he said via Kick Off.

Maritzburg chairman Farook Kadodia said the following in a statement:

"We are extremely sad about the loss of Luyanda, an exciting young player with enormous potential," he said.

"He had been nurtured by the club and brought through our ranks, having being given his debut against Kaizer Chiefs two seasons ago by former head coach Ernst Middendorp."

"On behalf of Maritzburg United Football club, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Ntshangase family in their time of bereavement - our prayers and thoughts are with you."

At the time, Kick Off reported that Arsenal trio Samkelo Nzimande, Ncebo Ngcobo and Njabulo Madlala were also knocked unconscious when the lightning struck.

"There were three other players who were struck by lightning but they are fine now after they were treated in hospital. They've been discharged," Arsenal coach Mondli Dlamini said.

"We were not aware and the weather just changed, and when it rained it was also thunderstorming. When the referee was about to call off the game then the lightning struck. I also don't remember very well what happened because I also saw other players on the floor after the thunderstorm.

"When we took them off the field they were unconscious and they only woke up when they were in hospital. But their situation was not as bad as first feared."

Rest in peace, Luyanda.