The coach of a teenage footballer said he "felt guilt" as he watched the 13-year-old die in front of his eyes. Everton Richards, 64, has 25 years' experience coaching young footballers at FC Cavaliers - but witnessing the death of one his most talented players on the pitch is something that he has never come across before "in my whole career".
Samuel Akwasi, who was playing for FC Cavaliers under-13s, had scored the first goal of the match before collapsing on the pitch on Saturday (May 7) at around 12noon. He successfully scored at 25 minutes against WBCY FC Rossoneri at the Forest Recreation Ground.
But then, something went wrong, Mr Richards recalls. "I heard someone saying that he was laying on the grass, and I first thought that he had a leg injury or something.
READ MORE: 'Loss to Nottingham' as footballer Samuel Akwasi dies after collapsing on the pitch
"I had players breaking their arms or legs, but I have never witnessed anything like this in my whole career. It was shocking and I was so worried."
Dvarne Edwards, a sports assistant at the Forest Sports Zone, a separate sports facility at The Forest with artificial pitches, said he "ran over straight away" after he saw the boy collapsed on the grass, near a tree. Mr Edwards explained the boy received treatment and that an ambulance arrived within minutes.
Despite all the efforts, Samuel tragically died. He leaves behind his parents and a football team which "loved and respected him".
Mr Richards said he had trained Samuel for five years and has never been made aware of any potential health problems. He added: "He was a strong and big lad for his age. He made huge progress in the last year and I was hoping that one day he could make it to the national league, or even league 2.
"He had great potential. He was always the second or third on the team list."
Mr Richards, who said he truly believed in the young boy's potential and future, described Samuel as a "quiet and respectful" individual. He added: "I got to know him quite well. I would have those chit chats with his parents too.
"He was so big and strong, but also so quiet and shy. But on the pitch he started to become a new person. He started to attack more. He was more commanding."
As well as training him, Mr Richards has also been Samuel's manager for the last four months. He added: "I felt guilt. I blamed myself. It is hard not to when you witness something like this."
In his honour, his team made the decision to retire Samuel's shirt. The number five will never be worn again by the players at FC Cavaliers u13 as a tribute to their beloved fellow player.
Mr Richards vowed that Samuel will never be forgotten. "No one will ever replace him. He was the one that was keeping everyone together. We will never find someone like him."
