WESTRIDGE – The Mitchells Plain football community is reeling after 20-year-old Standards United FC player Naeem Toyer died during a Second Division League fixture at the Westridge Sports Complex on Saturday 4 July.
The Local Football Association (LFA) Mitchells Plain confirmed that players, officials and spectators were left in shock following the incident, which occurred during active match play.
According to LFA Mitchells Plain, match officials, club representatives, first-aid personnel and members of the Local Executive Committee responded immediately when the incident occurred on the field.
Emergency medical assistance was requested and all possible efforts were made to assist the young player. Despite these interventions, Toyer sadly died.
The matter has been formally recorded through the relevant match and incident reports, the association said in a statement.
Football fraternity in mourning
The LFA Mitchells Plain expressed deep sorrow at the loss, extending condolences to the player’s family, teammates and the wider Standards United FC community. “The Local Executive Committee, member clubs, players, officials and the entire football fraternity of LFA Mitchells Plain are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Mr Naeem Toyer,” the association said.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Naeem’s parents, family, friends, teammates, coaches and the entire Standards United Football Club community during this extremely difficult time.”
The association said the loss of a young life had left the football family “shocked and heartbroken”, with grief felt across all clubs and supporters in the region.
Tributes pour in
Messages of tribute and condolences have also started to flood social media platforms, with clubs and members of the football community expressing their sympathy.
Among them, Yaknocka Soccer Club expressed its condolences, saying: “It is with deep sadness as we send out our heartfelt condolences to Standards United FC and the family and friends of one of their players Mr Naeem Toyer. Naeem passed on yesterday while playing the game he loved. Rest in peace, Naeem.”
Other clubs and supporters across Mitchells Plain have also shared messages of support, mourning the loss of the young player.
NovaNews reached out to the club on Sunday afternoon (July), where the club confirmed Toyer passed away while playing on the field during the match on Saturday.
At the time of publication, the cause of death remains unknown.
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