Richards Bayโs fallen hero Sphamandla Mtolo will be laid to rest on Sunday.
Mtolo sadly passed away on Tuesday morning at the clubโs training session, sending shockwaves through the football fraternity.
Mtolo lifted the Motsepe Foundation Championship last term when the club gained promotion on their way to the DStv Premiership, starting 29 matches of the 30 played.ย ย
However, as he was the clubโs skipper, the armband had to move to Katlego Maphathe because he suffered an ACL injury during the off-season.
He returned from injury in December last year when the season resumed from the FIFA World Cup break, coming off the bench when they beat Swallows FC.
He played the full match against Kaizer Chiefs this past weekend as they lost 1-0, though Bay played that game with 10 men after goalkeeper Salim Magoola was sent off in the first half for handling the ball outside the box.
Club chairman Sifiso Biyela described Mtolo as a rare breed, telling iDiski Times that his passing has stunned him because he was playing a key role in shielding the back four, and to lose this time is a huge blow because players like him are hard to be found especially at this stage of the season with a few games to go before the season ends.
Mtolo joined Richards Bay ahead of the 2020/21 season from Uthongathi and was a cult hero amongst his fellow teammates. ย ย ย ย ย
