A Ghanaian footballer, Raphael Dwamena died on Saturday shortly after collapsing on the pitch during a league match in Albania.
The Albanian Football Association announced that the 28-year-old striker was playing in Egnatia against Partizan when the incident happened.
“Despite the immediate intervention of specialist doctors, unfortunately he died,” the federation said in a statement.
Saturday’s match was abandoned and the federation has now postponed all games scheduled 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.
Raphael Dwamena’s last moments in today’s Albania League game.
RIP to him pic.twitter.com/5rWgiZMIIc
β Saddick Adams (@SaddickAdams) November 11, 2023
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Dwamena was the top scorer in the Albanian league this season with nine goals.
His health has been widely publicized in the past with a proposed Β£14million move to Brighton falling through in 2017 after he failed a medical.
In 2021 it collapsed during a cup match in Austria between his team Blau-Weiss Linz and Hartberg.
A respected CAF medical officer believes it is time for Raphael Dwamena to consider quitting football for the sake of his health. #JoySports pic.twitter.com/wfTeHjmt8Q
β Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) October 29, 2021
Heart surgery
Dwamena underwent heart surgery with an automatic defibrillator implanted to help him continue his career.
He represented Levante in La Liga and also played for Real Zaragoza on loan in Spain.
“Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time. His legacy to our club will last forever,” Levante said on social media.
Zaragoza also paid tribute, saying: βWe 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.”
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) commented on the incident sending “our deepest condolences to his family at this difficult time”.
Our thoughts are with the family of Raphael Dwamena at this difficult time. He proudly represented us 9 times and scored 2 goals.
Rest in peace, Raphael ππ pic.twitter.com/LY8eYBabGA
β π¬π Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) November 11, 2023
The player had won nine caps and scored two goals for his country.
“He served his country well and showed class every time he represented Ghana,” GFA president Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku said in a statement.
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Source: Africafeeds.com