When 26 year old San Diego Sockers player Abel “Shadow” Sebele moved to the US in 2005, he had no idea he would in that country soon escape into glory, leaving his parents, relatives, friends and the entire Zimbabwean nation for good.
Sebele was killed on Thursday night hit by a car while running in the road in Old Town.
His team confirmed to the San Diego Union Tribune, “we are extremely shocked and saddened by this news,” John Kentera, general manager of the professional indoor soccer team, said in a statement on the Sockers’ website. “Shadow was a wonderful man with a huge heart and everyone in the organization loved him.”
The California Highway Patrol said a pedestrian ran from the east shoulder of Interstate 5 toward the center divider near Old Town Avenue about 10:30 p.m. Thursday. He was hit by the driver of a Chevrolet Volt, who stopped after the collision.
Paramedics soon arrived there but it was too late, Sebele had already passed away.
The Sockers said Sebele, 26, was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He came to the U.S. in 2005 and settled in the Washington, D.C., area.
He played for West Virginia University from 2009-2012 and joined the Sockers this season from the Wichita B52’s.
The nickname “Shadow” came from the fact that growing up he would follow his older brother everywhere he went, the Sockers’ statement said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sebele family,” Kentera said. “We will forever remember Shadow for his great smile and the kindness with which he treated everyone.” – San Diego Union Tribune/Additional Reporting