A tragic incident occurred as a 24-year-old individual lost their life due to an unexpected lightning strike while participating in a football match at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok. The match was part of the Golo FA Cup 2026 semi-final between rival Thai and Malaysian teams in Thailand. Despite immediate medical attention, the victim could not survive the severe injuries sustained from the lightning strike.
A distressing video circulating on social media captured the moment when lightning struck the field during a spirited soccer match played in the rain. The footage shows Sofwan Awae, a 24-year-old player in a black-and-white striped jersey, lying motionless on the ground before his teammates rushed to his aid. Despite efforts by the emergency medical team, Awae succumbed to his injuries, as confirmed by Sungai Golok police chief Thun Sirikhunt.
Following the lightning strike, several players collapsed on the ground, and a total of 12 individuals sustained injuries, as per reports. Among those affected was 22-year-old Malaysian footballer Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli, who was also hospitalized for treatment.
Awae, a winger for SAMCOLTS, had recently inked a deal with Thai third-division club Yala FC. The football community mourns the loss of this talented player in this unfortunate incident.
