Dstv Premiership club Richards Bay Football Club midfielder Siphamandla Mtolo (29) died after collapsing during a training session on Tuesday morning, the club confirmed. 

HIS PASSING CONFIRMED

In a media statement on Tuesday, Richards Bay FC said: "It is with deep sadness to announce that Richards Bay Football Club has untimely lost one of its midfielders, Siphamandla 'Spepe' Mtolo who collapsed this morning during training. The club is not in a position to provide further information at this stage and asks that his family's privacy is respected during this difficult time of bereavement," 

HIS PRESENCE TO BE MISSED

 The club further said his presence both on and off the pitch will be sorely missed. "Thoughts and prayers of everyone in Richards Bay Football Club are with his family, friends and loved ones," the statement read. The Premier Soccer League (PSL) also released a statement offering their condolences. "The Premier Soccer League is deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Richards Bay Football Club midfielder, Siphamandla Mtolo. The PSL sends heartfelt condolences to the Mtolo family, Richards Bay FC, and the football fraternity at large. Mtolo played his last match against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday where he played for the whole 90 minutes. 

He joined Richards Bay from Uthongathi FC where he captained the team to get promotion to the DSTV Premiership from ABC Motsepe League. He made six appearances for the club this season due to a long-term injury. A moment of silence will be observed in his honour at this week's Nedbank Cup and Diski Challenge fixtures.