The life of a “brilliant” and “talented” football player was tragically cut short on Saturday 22 October, after he was stabbed to death.
Ayden Manuel (25) from Lavender Hill Football Club died after he was allegedly stabbed in the neck and chest.
Mark Nicholson, Lavender Hill Football Club chair, described Manuel as a brilliant and amazing footballer.
“Ayden Manuel was a dad of a five-year-old girl. He was brilliant and instrumental in our team, helping the team to win the league this season and a few seasons ago. He committed himself to the club and stayed in Cafda.”
On Thursday 27 October, the club held a memorial service in Lavender Hill which was attended by friends, family and the community.
“He was like the clown in the club I would say, he would joke with everyone, regardless of what he was going through”.
Nicholson labelled Manuel as someone who would always light up a room he entered.
“He always came into the dressing room and lit it up with his jokes and fun, it was part of his life. We are really missing him.”
Since his tragic death the football team has been receiving counselling.
“The club is distraught about it, we had to have our premier team go see a psychologist due to the fact that it was unacceptable for us what has happened to him.”
Nicholson added that they have already forgiven the perpetrator.
“We have spoken to the players and we have forgiven his killer already. His killer was a friend of his.
“God has a plan and purpose for everything and Ayden’s death has of course brought a lot of people together in the community.
“The memorial service was dedicated to his life, his family, his daughter and his girlfriend.
“He did not deserve to die the way that he did.”
Ralph Bouwers, a community worker who promotes sport as a way to uplift youth, described Manuel as a fearless player.
“He was so full of energy for life and people.
“He would greet everyone young and old, children and senior players and he became a star football defender for Lavender Hill Football Club.”
Bouwers added that the entire team was emotional after the tragic incident.
“He was very important and a key player who had raw talent.
“The Friday was our league presentation and the Saturday he was stabbed in the nek and chest, everything was just so sudden.
“We saw a psychologist last week Wednesday and the guys were crying, there was pain and tears from the team and we are dealing with the pain.”
