Richards Bay captain, Siphamandla Mtolo, has passed on after collapsing in training. In a statement released by the club today, it reads as follows
Mtolo joined Richards Bay in 2020 from Uthongathi FC and went on to captain the side to promotion into the Dstv Premiership in the 2021/22 season.
Born 28 November 1993, Mtolo started his professional career at Uthongathi FC in the 2017/18 season where he spent three seasons before he was signed by Richards Bay FC in 2020.
In the 2020/21 season, he became a key figure in the heart of the Richards Bay midfield and quickly earned himself the right to captain the side under the leadership of the then coach Simo Dladla.
The 2021/22 season proved to be Mtolo’s key season where he led the uMhlathuze based side to automatic promotion to the Dstv Premiership. Mtolo battled serious injury towards the end of the campaign which affected his involvement at the beginning this season.
Strong and well built, Mtolo returned to the side and made his Dstv Premiership debut in Richards Bay’s 1-0 against Swallows FC at the King Zwelithini stadium in uMlaza where he replaced Nkanyiso Zungu in the 70th minute.
He was further involved in 7 more league games and a Nedbank Cup match loss against Sundowns. His last match before his untimely passing was against Kaizer Chiefs at the King Zwelithini stadium on Saturday, the 4th of March, where Richards Bay lost 1-0.
May His soul rest in peace.