)
Sammy Musa, aged 20, and Joshua Nyangaresi, aged 21, were playing for local teams Manyansi FC and Nyagiti FC at Manyansi playgrounds in Kitutu Chache North Constituency.
Tragedy struck in Kisii County, Kenya on Saturday evening when two football players lost their lives after being struck by lightning during a friendly match.
Sammy Musa, aged 20, and Joshua Nyangaresi, aged 21, were playing for local teams Manyansi FC and Nyagiti FC at Manyansi playgrounds in Kitutu Chache North Constituency.
According to eyewitnesses, the weather had been cloudy and it started raining during the match. Suddenly, there was a loud bang and both players fell to the ground.
The other players and spectators rushed to help but it was too late. Musa and Nyangaresi were pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
The tragic incident left two other players injured, who were immediately rushed to a hospital in neighboring Nyamira County. They are reportedly in stable condition.
Evans Akang’a, chairman of the Kitutu Chache North Football Kenya Federation, expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased players.
“They were playing while it was raining. It is quite unfortunate that they lost their lives while playing a game that they loved most. As federation officials, we say sorry to the affected families,” Mr. Akang’a said.
He also called on the government to install lightning arresters in primary schools and other public places like churches and buildings where people gather.
"There is no FIFA law that says play must stop when it is raining, not unless the pitch is soaked with water to a point that players find it difficult to pass the ball."
"We therefore ask our authorities to ensure lightning arresters are installed in schools, churches, and other buildings to reduce such cases from recurring," Akang'a added.
The tragic incident has left the local football community in shock and mourning. The loss of two young promising footballers has reminded everyone of the importance of player safety and the need to take all necessary precautions to avoid such tragedies in the future.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)