A former Mamelodi Sundowns academy player Lesiba Ramabula (21) was struck and killed by lightning in Seshego, Limpopo on Tuesday afternoon.
Ramabula who was now at Limpopo club Turfloop 95 FC was allegedly walking with his friend at the park in Zone-One when the incident happened.
They were both rushed to hospital and Ramabulana was certified dead on arrival.
Limpopo MEC for Social Development Nkakareng Rakgoale has sent condolences to the Ramabula family and confirmed that her department has dispatched a team of social workers to the family to provide psychological support.
“After learning about this tragic incident, we immediately activated a team of social workers who will reach out to the family and start providing psychosocial support services,” said Rakgoale.
“We know that the family is obviously going through a lot, as they lost a young man who is said to be a promising soccer star.
“Our social workers will also extend the same service to the survivor and other affected parties. We express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and wish his friend a speedy recovery,” she said.
Ramabula began his football journey at Molemole Academy under coach Willy Moloto in 2014, he was also part of the Limpopo Sports school of excellence team before joining the Masandawana academy in 2019.
He was then registered to play for Gauteng ABC Motsepe League club M Tigers, which has an association with Sundowns.
He moved to Turfloop 95 in January this year.
