Pupil dies on football pitch in Karonga

A Standard 8 pupil at Sangilo Primary School at Chilumba in Malawi’s northern district of Karonga, collapsed and died on the pitch during a match between Sangilo and Chitende primary schools on Thursday afternoon.

Chimbirani Nyirenda, 15, from Mtoweranyifwa Village, T/A Wasambo in Karonga collapsed half way into the semi-final match at Chilumba Primary School.

He was rushed to St Anne’s Hospital in Chilumba where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The two schools were meeting in the Chembe Mini Trophy sponsored by Karonga South parliamentarian Glad Chembe Munthali.

“I am devastated. I do not know what to do now,” said Munthali in an interview.

According to him, Nyirenda collapsed after he was hit in the chest by an opponent as he tried to head the ball.

“An opposing player raised his leg to hit the ball, but missed it and hit into Nyirenda’s chest,” said Munthali.

He added that police suggested that Nyirenda’s body should be taken to Karonga District Hospital for post-mortem but his parents objected.

“They said that they already knew how their child died and there was no need for post-mortem,” said the parliamentarian.

The tournament’s organising chairperson Duncan Mlenga said local teams play at the mercy of God as they do not have doctors to treat players that get injured.

Chembe Mini Trophy is worth K1 million. Local football clubs get K500 000 (about $3 000); local netball clubs receive K150 000 (about $900); secondary schools’ share is K150 000 while primary schools compete fort K200 000 (about $1 200).