“We were all nervous,” Kaizer Chiefs’ goalkeeper coach Brian Baloyi remembers about the Ellis Park disaster on 11 April 2001. At the time, ‘Spiderman’ was Amakhosi’s number one goalkeeper. Recalling this sad moment South African football history, he says: “We were running around trying to reach for our mobile phones in order to contact and check our families, as some were among the spectators.”

April 11 marks 15 years since 43 people tragically lost their lives in a crowd stampede at Ellis Park during the Soweto Derby.

“We had to come to terms with the reality that disaster struck when, late at night, we were informed about the injured and departed,” reflects Baloyi, who was between the sticks at that fateful game. “When we heard about the number of casualties, that’s when it really got to us. We cried.”

This moment in history would change the face of soccer with stringent security processes introduced and fans urged to arrive early at the matches.

“The day started with the normal tension of a Soweto Derby,” he said. “And the Derby rivalry was at its peak at that stage, everyone filled with anticipation. It was common occurrence in those days to delay the kick-off time of matches due to supporters arriving late at the stadiums.”

“I remember that we scored early in the game,” remembers Baloyi, “but our lead didn’t last long as Pirates equalized a few minutes later.”

Tony Ilodigwe had scored the opener for Chiefs and it was after Benedict Vilikazi’s equaliser that the game had to be stopped.

A visibly touched Baloyi reminisces, “I saw commotion behind my poles. I struggled to concentrate on the game, as I realised something was not right behind me. Then, the referee brought the game to a halt. He explained to us that there was still a large crowd outside the stadium and they were rushing people through the gates.”

“A few minutes later, we saw people running all over,” Baloyi says, “people were being let on the pitch for safety reasons, because of the stampede on the stands, while others were helplessly carried to the pitch. That’s when we knew things were bad and the match was stopped.”

“It’s something that we will never forget,” Baloyi looks back on the tragedy. “What happened that evening will forever stay with us.”

“We will continue to keep the bereaved and the injured in our prayers. To date, when any form of agitation erupts at the stadium, we experience flashbacks. The people who died paid with their dear lives for the love of the game. We hope that we will not see something like that happening again. The stadium must be a place where people can enjoy a game in safe conditions.”

Baloyi pays tribute to the departed and consoles the affected families: “We should all gain solace that this disaster became a lesson to football in general.”

Chiefs captain Siphiwe Tshabalala, meanwhile, urged his teammates to observe and commemorate this day by appreciating the supporters as important in football.

Speaking on behalf of Kaizer Chiefs , Chairman Kaizer Motaung made a tribute and expressed the Club’s condolences to the bereaved, as he remembers that fateful event in 2001: “We will always remember this date. To the families who lost loved ones, we wish them strength during this time. May the peace of the Lord be with them now and forever more.”