REF SIBONELO IN HEART ATTACK SCARE
MBABANE – Sibonelo Mbuyisa, a referee in the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE), has made a full recovery after nearly collapsing during a game. This transpired during a match due to a sudden onset of respiratory distress. This rare incident occurred during week 14 of the MTN Premier League in a game between Green Mamba and Sisonkhe at the Mayaluka Stadium in Big Bend on Sunday afternoon.
Heart-stopping
In a heart-stopping moment, a source close to the incident revealed that Mhlanga’s alarming symptoms surfaced during a corner kick in the second half of the match. As the game continued at full throttle, the centre referee reportedly complained of a racing heartbeat, indicating that something was amiss.The gravity of the situation led to the referee’s swift substitution, as medical personnel stepped in to tend to Mhlanga’s condition. “As an eyewitness to the dramatic events, I can attest to the alarming scene that unfolded on the field of play. “Sibonelo Mhlanga, the referee, suddenly almost collapsed to his knees, visibly distraught and struggling with a racing heart rate.
Pleas
“Medical personnel rushed to his aid, responding to Mhlanga’s urgent pleas for assistance as he clutched his chest, signalling a possible heart-related issue. “The unsettling turn of events necessitated the substitution of the referee, bringing the game to a temporary halt as officials focused on ensuring his safety and health,” the source said. A second impeccable source, familiar with the incident, speculated that the suffocating heat during the match in Big Bend, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius, might have contributed to the official’s distress. However, the source was quick to reassure that the referee was recovering, with the situation being resolved within an hour of the initial incident.
“As someone acquainted with Sibonelo Mhlanga personally, I can confidently state that this was the first time he had experienced such an episode. He felt a sudden, piercing pain in his heart, accompanied by laboured breathing. Despite being a stalwart professional, Mhlanga recognised the severity of the situation and punctually signalled his need for substitution, prioritising his health and safety above all else. Witnessing this unexpected and unsettling turn of events was shocking, especially given his track record of good health and experience in officiating high-pressure matches,” another source said.
Details
National Referees Committee Chairperson Sipho Kunene stated that, as an office, they were yet to receive full details of the matter. A similar incident occurred during the English Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth in March 2019. Referee Michael Oliver, a veteran official in the league, was unable to continue officiating after he appeared to pull his hamstring during the game. After limping off the pitch with assistance, Oliver was promptly replaced by the fourth official, Andre Marriner, to ensure that the match continued smoothly. Meanwhile, Green Mamba went on to win the game 3-0, courtesy of second-half goals from Siyabonga ‘Gusheshe’ Zwane, Kwanele Shongwe and Mbutfo Dlamini.
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