Mystery surrounds the death of a 16-year-old soccer player who collapsed during a match over the weekend.
Imtieyaaz Wagiet of Mitchells Plain was the captain of Bayview FC’s Under-17 team, who were playing against Strandfontein AFC on Saturday when tragedy struck.
His bereaved mother, Rashieda Wagiet, 46, says her son collapsed on the Westridge Soccer Field and died doing what he loved best.
The family from Eastridge laid the teen to rest on Sunday, according to Muslim tradition.
Rashieda had been on the field when Imtieyaaz suddenly went down and says they were all shocked as he had been a healthy child.
GRIEF: Ma Rashieda Wagiet, 46. Picture: Tracey Adams
Imtieyaaz was in Grade 9 at Beacon Hill High School and had been playing soccer since he was seven. He also played for his school.
“He said he is going to bring the cup home,” said the mom of four yesterday, wearing the soccer jersey Imtieyaaz died in.
“He said, ‘mommy, we’re going to win this’. He loved his team so much.
“He was my baby and he always played the striker position.”
Rashieda says she noticed a player had collapsed on the field but never for a moment thought it was her son.
“I just saw someone falling and I asked who is it. Someone came and said it’s him.
“I called out to him to say I am there. I saw foam coming out of his mouth,” the mom cries.
Rashieda says a parent assisted her to transport Imtieyaaz to the Westridge Fire Station where firefighters tried to resuscitate him, but it was too late.
MYSTERY DEATH: Imtieyaaz Wagiet, 16, died doing what he loved best
“We are not sure whether he died on the field or there, he might have gone into a coma.”
The family is now awaiting the results of a post-mortem to determine the cause of his death.
Rashieda says they are at peace with Imtieyaaz’s death and does not blame anyone despite there being no emergency personnel on the field.
“It was God’s will. I cannot say this is someone’s fault, I cannot question God’s will.”
Sister Rachmat Daniels, 24, says her little brother’s dog Max is distraught: “They did everything together and even watched TV together. This dog doesn’t want to eat and has been howling since Saturday.”
PJ Williams, the Vice- Chairperson of the Local Football Association says they tried everything in their power to save Imtieyaaz’s life.
“Due to the fact that the Fire and Rescue Station in Westridge is two minutes away, we use that facility (for emergency services) for matches there.”
He says himself, a nurse and the coach of Strandfontein all performed CPR on him.
DISTRAUGHT: Imtieyaaz’s grieving dog Max.
When he didn’t respond, they rushed him to the fire station.
“Four staff members at the fire station tried to revive him for an hour,” said PJ.
“We are devastated as a soccer community and our condolences to the family.”