Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) has been thrown into a state of mourning after the country's U20 star Ismail Mrisho Khalfan died on the pitch after scoring a classy back-heeled goal followed by his outstanding celebration on Sunday.
Mrisho, who plays for Mbao FC, collapsed on the pitch during their U20 match against Mwadui FC in the Vodacom U20 league at the Kaitaba stadium in Bukoba.
He scored one of the goals for Mbao FC in a beautiful style and grandly celebrated it before he collapsed on the pitch as medics tried desperately to resuscitate him.
Mrisho was tackled by a Mwadui defender but not violently yet he went to ground before his falling on his face and his legs were seen shaking.
The referee stopped the match immediately to ask the medics to intervene but was pronounced dead on arrival at the Bukoba Provincial Hospital.
"I regret to announce the sudden death of Ismail Mrisho. He collapsed on the pitch during an U20 league match today," Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) president Jamal Malinzi wrote.
"He was a Mbao FC player and the game was between his team and Mwadui U20. The TFF Medical team is following up this sad event very closely. May Allah rest his soul in eternal peace. Amen.”
The match was hotly contested as the Vodacom U20 league was entering its penultimate stage.
Ghanasoccernet.com send our condolences to the family and friends of Mrisho, the Mbao FC family, and the Tanzania football fraternity.
Watch video of the Mrisho's goal before his death below