GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The sudden death of the Portugal Birds FC player, Ayakha Xalisa (17) on Saturday 15 July during a match, has left the football fraternity, friends and relatives in shock. 

The friendly game between Portugal Birds and Real Madrid took place at the Masiszakhe Stadium.

The Advertiser was told that Xalisa, who had played an excellent game, was running with the ball when he felt the sudden need to sit down. "That was when he fell backwards," says Coach Thembalthu Nofemele. "We are heartbroken and shocked."

The score was 1 - 1 in the second half when, about ten minutes before the final whistle, Nofemele was called to attend to Xalisa. "He was sitting down when I got to him, and literally a few seconds later his body started shaking like someone getting a fit."

They tried to reach the ambulance services but Nofemele says no one answered the phone. "We rushed him to hospital in a private car, but on arrival at the hospital, he was declared dead."

Xalisa's family told the Advertiser that he had suffered from a lung infection, which probably caused his lungs to collapse. An autopsy was to be performed on Wednesday to determine the cause of death.

Xalisa was a grade 12 learner from Nqweba Secondary School, and a passionate football player. His memorial service will take place on Saturday 29 July.

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