A tragic incident took place at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok, where a 24-year-old individual lost their life due to a sudden lightning strike during a football match between Thai and Malaysian teams competing in the Golo FA Cup 2026 semi-final. Despite immediate medical attention, the victim succumbed to the severe injuries sustained in the lightning strike.
A distressing video circulating on social media captured the moment when lightning struck the field, causing a chaotic scene as players were engaged in a spirited match amidst the rain. The footage shows Sofwan Awae, a 24-year-old player in a black-and-white jersey, lying motionless on the ground before being attended to by teammates and staff members who rushed to his aid.
Local authorities, including Sungai Golok police chief Thun Sirikhunt, confirmed the tragic outcome, stating that despite the best efforts of the emergency medical team, the victim could not be saved from the injuries sustained. The lightning strike also resulted in several players collapsing, with 12 individuals reported injured during the incident.
Awae, a winger for SAMCOLTS and recently signed with Thai club Yala FC, was among those affected by the lightning strike. Additionally, Malaysian footballer Alif Ezzahan Zulkifli, aged 22, was also injured and received medical treatment following the incident.