Photos of 10 African Footballers Who Collapsed and Died on the Pitch
In a devastating turn of events, the footballing community mourns the loss of Ghana’s Raphael Dwamena, who tragically collapsed and passed away on the pitch while playing for FK Egnatia in a match against KF Partizani in the Albanian Superliga.
The 28-year-old former Black Stars forward, known for his talent and appearances with the Ghanaian national team, suffered a fatal heart attack, highlighting the profound impact of heart-related issues on African footballers.
Dwamena’s untimely demise prompts reflection on nine other African players who faced similar fates:
1. Marc-Vivien Foé (Cameroon)
Passed away in 2003 at the age of 28 during a FIFA Confederations Cup match.
2. Cheick Tiote (Ivory Coast)
Died at 30 in 2017 after suffering a cardiac arrest during a training session with Beijing Enterprises Group.
3. Uriah Asante (Ghana)
Collapsed and died at 24 during a training session with Etoile du Sahel in Tunisia.
4. Moise Brou Apanga (Gabon)
Tragically passed away at 35 after collapsing during a training session with FC 105 Libreville.
5. Patrick Ekeng (Cameroon)
Died at 26 while playing for Dinamo București, collapsing during a league game.
6. Chaswe Nsofwa (Zambia)
Collapsed during training at 28 while preparing for a league game with Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
7. David Faramola Oniya (Nigeria)
Tragically collapsed during a friendly in Malaysia and passed away.
8. Emmanuel Ogoli (Nigeria)
The left-back collapsed on the pitch while playing for Ocean Boys in 2010.
9. Ben Idrissa Derme (Burkina Faso)
Suffered a heart attack during a Coupe de France match in 2016.
These incidents emphasize the importance of regular medical check-ups and the urgent need for global awareness of heart-related issues among athletes. The legacy of these players calls for improved player safety in football, both in Africa and worldwide.
The footballing world extends its condolences to Raphael Dwamena and all players who lost their lives on the pitch, cherishing their memories and advocating for a safer environment for athletes.
