TIMELY medical intervention may have saved the life of Thanda Royal Zulu soccer star Evander Spandiel on Saturday after he was unconscious for some while following a clash of heads.
The incident happened during extra time at uMhlathuze Stadium where Thanda were hosting Black Leopards.
ICE private ambulance medics who rushed to his side immediately signalled the club’s attending doctors onto the field after realising the serious nature of his condition.
‘He took a hard knock to the face and there was plenty of bleeding,’ said team physio Johan le Roux.
‘Evander was not responding and was choking on his blood.’
Together with Dr Buthulezi and Dr Khuzwayo, they cleared his airways and administered oxygen.
After nearly 10 minutes, Spandiel still appeared dazed and disoriented but was responding to the medical team.
He was assisted to a waiting ambulance.
‘By the time we got to hospital he was talking and joking and X-rays revealed his nose, although very swollen, was not broken,’ said le Roux.
‘There was no evidence of concussion and he was discharged on Saturday evening.’
I think soccer teams should make sure that players when they’re in the field should know how to avoid dangerous contact/dangerous tackles because it is indeed good to prevent than be cured