TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Former Ghana forward Raphael Dwamena has died after collapsing Saturday during an Albanian Super League soccer match.
Footage on social media appeared to show the player alone and falling on the pitch in the 24th minute of Egnatia Douamena’s clash with Partizani.
Other players rushed over and, despite immediate medical intervention, the federation said “the player has unfortunately passed away”.
The game was suspended at 1-1 without further play.
Dwamena, the season’s top scorer with nine goals in the Albanian Super League, made eight appearances for Ghana and scored twice.
” The Ghana Football Association I am saddened to hear of the death of our former player Raphael Dwamena and we wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family at this difficult time,” it said in a statement.
No details of a possible cause were given by the Albanian federation, but local media reports focused on the player’s previous heart problems, including a 2021 match against Austrian side Blau-Veis Linz when he was hospitalized with heart problems.
Dwamena’s career also included stints in Spain, Denmark and Switzerland.
Albania’s Brazilian coach, Silvinho, said on social media: “Rest in peace. Condolences to family and friends.”
Spanish clubs Levante and Zaragoza expressed their condolences on the death of their former player.
Dwamena signed for Levante in 2018 and played one season before being loaned out to Zaragoza where he played in 2019-20.
“Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time. His legacy to our club will last forever,” Levante told X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
Zaragoza told X: “We are devastated by the sad news of the death of our former player Rafael Duamena. You will always be remembered by Zaragoza fans. Rest in Peace.”
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Associated Press writer Joseph Wilson in Barcelona, Spain contributed to this report.