DStv Premiership fans watched in horror when, during stoppage time on Tuesday’s fixture, Paseka Mako suffered a devastating blow to the head in a clash with Baroka FC goalie, Richard Ofori.
Watch: Paseka Mako, Richard Ofori collision
The Tuesday night fixture was important for both teams. Pirates, after a season to forget, can only hope to secure a position in the Top 4 and retain CAF Champions League football next year.
Baroka, on the other hand, are fighting for relegation with their fate pretty much out of their hands, at this point. On Tuesday, the home side put it all on the line and managed to hold the Buccaneers to a goalless encounter.
However, the point earned did not come without a moment of horror in the 92nd minute of an 11-min stoppage time.
Pirates had managed to contain a corner kick and a lob from the deep end of the Skeletons’ half sent Mako on a run that, more than likely, would have culminated in a crucial goal for the Top 4 contenders.
But, tragedy struck. As the ball made its way to Baroka’s half, with Mako a touch away from a clear sight of goal, Ofori had swept out of his posts and made the run to defend the counterattack.
By then, the goalie had no control of his momentum and, in a split second, the force of his jump sent his knee clobbering Mako, who fell dead on his back, head-first.
The devastating moment was caught on camera.
I hope Mako is okay 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/iDGH4gn979
— ^_^ (@DominicPooe) April 12, 2022
What is Mako’s condition?
The latest word on Mako’s condition came from Pirates head coach, Fadlu Davids, who confirmed that, indeed, the attacker had fell unconscious and, fortunately, ” he was breathing”.
“He was breathing… he was stable on his way to the hospital. We have no further update yet,” Davids added.
The solidarity shown by players from both teams in shielding Mako as he received medical attention was well-appreciated by fans, as well as Davids who applauded the maturity displayed by both sides.
“There is no Pirates, there’s no Baroka in that moment. It’s all football players uniting and coming together,” Davids added.
At this point, it remains unclear if Mako, a crucial cog to Pirates’ squad, will feature in Sunday’s CAF Confederations Cup clash with Tanzania’s Simba.