The Sudanese man who was pushed to the ground in Paceville early on Saturday morning has died from severe head injuries.

Family and friends of Osama Al Shzliaoy, 27, were shocked and heartbroken when medical staff switched off the life support machines yesterday evening.

A shocked friend said she was “devastated” at the death of Mr Shzliaoy, whom they nicknamed “Sunshine” because of his “kind heart, angel face and big smile”. “Someone has stolen our sunshine from us,” she said.

Mr Shzliaoy sustained serious head injuries after allegedly being pushed by two Romanian men at around 6 a.m. in St George’s Road. According to a witness, Mr Shzliaoy fell to the ground and the two men ran off leaving him in a pool of blood.

The police mounted a search for the men but, so far, no one has come forward, according to investigating sources.

A Facebook page was created as his friends appealed to the public to help the police identify the two suspects.

They published photos released by the police of the suspects and urged anyone who was in Paceville at that time or in the area to contact the police.

It is believed Mr Shzliaoy met the men coming from the opposite direction as he was walking down Paceville’s main road. Pedestrians are forced to pass by close to each other through two narrow passageways on either side of this road, which is closed off due to roadworks.

Always a hotbed for incidents, authorities have been highly criticised for failing to impose discipline. A new association of Paceville bar and commercial property owners is calling for a zero-tolerance policy towards crime in entertainment areas.

Last week, a former bouncer was acquitted of causing the death of an immigrant from Darfur by pushing him to the ground outside a Paceville nightclub in 2009. The immigrant himself had been described in court by witnesses as a trouble maker.

Anyone with information on the latest case should call 119 or 2122 4001. Callers have the option of giving their information in a confidential manner.