Nov. 12 (UPI) — Ghana Soccer star Raphael Dwamena died after collapsing on the field during a match on Saturday. He was 28.
“Raphael represented Ghana wholeheartedly and paid his dues to the country until his unfortunate death. We will forever miss him for his dedication to the National Coarse. Rest in Peace Raphael,” the club said in a statement.
Dwamena, who was the top scorer in the Albanian league with nine goals this season, was a striker for Egnatia, playing for Partizani when he collapsed on the pitch. BBC and CNN reported.
There are no official details, but video footage shows Dwamena collapsing in the 24th minute of Saturday’s game as players rushed to his side. An ambulance came to the pitch as Dwamena was attended to by medical staff.
Players from both sides rushed to his side and medical staff attended to Dwamena on the field but were unable to revive him.
“Despite the immediate intervention of specialist doctors, unfortunately he died,” the Albanian Football Association (AFL) said in a statement.
Dwamena was the top scorer in the Albanian league this season with nine goals. The federation canceled Saturday’s match and postponed all matches scheduled to be played in Albania this week.
“The AFL extends its deepest condolences to the Dwamena family and the Egnatia club for this great loss which has shocked the entire Albanian football community.” the federation added.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) expressed its “deepest condolences to his family at this difficult time” in a statement.
“He served his country well and showed class every time he represented Ghana,” said GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku.
This was not the first on-field medical emergency the young star has experienced.
Dwamena collapsed during a 2021 cup match in Austria, but recovered and resumed his career after a recovery that included heart surgery and the implantation of an automatic defibrillator.
He would have been traded to Brighton in a deal worth more than $14 million, but he failed a medical.
He continued to play in his clubs Spain, SwitzerlandAustria and Denmark throughout his short career.
“Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time,” Levante, where Duamena also played, said in a social media post. “Of legacy in our club it will last forever.”
Zaragoza also paid tribute. “We are devastated by the sad news of the death of our former player Rafael Duamena,” the club said in a statement. “You will always be remembered by Zaragoza fans. Rest in peace.”