Shola Akinyele
The football world has been left mourning after a 24-year-old Thai footballer died following a lightning strike during a regional cup match, just days after signing what was described as a major career opportunity with a professional club.
Safwan Awae, also identified in some reports as Sofwan Awae, was struck by lightning on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, while playing in a Golok FA Cup fixture at Santiphap Stadium in Su-ngai Kolok, Narathiwat province, southern Thailand.
The winger, who had recently joined Thai League 3 club Yala FC, was representing his side during a match between SAMCOLTS and Abu x Nong Sirin when the tragedy occurred amid heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
The incident reportedly happened between 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. local time when a powerful lightning bolt hit the playing area, causing panic among players, officials and spectators.
Videos shared online showed a sudden flash of light followed by a loud impact, with several players collapsing on the pitch. Teammates and people around the stadium immediately rushed to assist the affected players, with special attention given to Awae, who was lying motionless after the strike.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and transported the injured players, including Awae, to Sungai Kolok Hospital. Despite efforts by medical personnel to save him, the young footballer was pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the incident.
Police authorities later confirmed Awae’s death, while the match was abandoned due to the dangerous weather conditions.
Reports indicated that between nine and 12 other players were affected by the lightning strike. Among them was 22-year-old Malaysian footballer Mohamad Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli, who sustained injuries and later received treatment in Malaysia. Other players reportedly suffered burns and trauma from the strike.
Awae’s death came at a time when his football career appeared to be entering a promising new chapter. He had signed for Yala FC around July 29, 2026, less than a week before the fatal incident.
The move marked a significant milestone for the winger, who previously played for Pattani FC and contributed to the club’s successful promotion campaign.
Yala FC expressed deep sorrow over the death of their new signing, describing the loss as heartbreaking and extending condolences to his family, friends and everyone who knew him.
The Football Association of Thailand also paid tribute to the late player, saying it shared the grief of his loved ones and the football community following the tragic loss.
The Golok FA Cup is a regional tournament involving teams from Thailand’s southern border provinces and neighbouring Malaysian communities.
The incident has triggered widespread reactions across social media, with many football fans expressing shock after footage of the lightning strike and its aftermath went viral. The tragedy has also renewed calls for stricter safety measures during outdoor sporting events, particularly when severe weather conditions threaten players and officials.
Awae’s death serves as a painful reminder of the dangers posed by thunderstorms in open stadiums. A promising player who had just begun a new chapter in his professional career has been lost, leaving teammates, supporters and the wider football community devastated.
and then 
WhatsApp us
Comments