ADVERTISEMENT

11 tragic African football deaths on the pitch

In the wake of Chiek Tiote, the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations winning player with Ivory Coast, Pulse Sports has put together eleven (11) tragic African football deaths

Sometimes it can create so much drama and tragedy. Over the years some really sad events took place. A lot of Footballers have died tragically while playing this beautiful game. A lot of people have questioned the safety of players while playing football. In early days it was common for a footballer to die on a football field. Here we have listed some 11 Most Tragic African Deaths of players while playing football.

Samuel Okwareji

The Nigerian international was playing against Angola in World Cup qualifier when he collapsed and died. His Death was because of his history of High Blood Pressure and enlarged heart. He died on 12th August, 1989.

ADVERTISEMENT

Read more: Video

Mark Vivien Foe

The Cameroonian international player was playing against Colombia in a confederation cup. When he collapsed on field. He died in hospital because of heart related issues. He died on the 26th June of 2003.

Mohamed Abdelwahab

Abdelwahab collapsed during Ahly's morning training session on 31 August 2006. He was rushed to 'Egypt International Hospital' in Dokki, Cairo, but the 22-year-old winger died before he could be revived. According to Egyptian doctors, the cause of Abdelwhab's death was a heart defect

ADVERTISEMENT

Endurance Idahor

Idahor Collapsed during the match of his Sudanese club Al Merreikh against Alamal Atbara. He died in the ambulance. Autopsy report revealed that he suffered a circulatory collapse from a heart attack and died 6 March 2010

Bartholomew Opoku

Bartholomew Opoku died after collapsing on the pitch during a game between Kessben FC now Medeama SC and Liberty Professionals.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment but died the next day, which was 8th March, 2010.

ADVERTISEMENT

Emmanuel Ogoli

Left-back of Ocean Boys, Emmanuel Ogoli, game has died after playing for just 39 minutes in a Nigeria Premier League (NPL) against Niger Tornadoes at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa on Sunday. The left back was rushed into an ambulance parked inside the stadium, but he died on the way to hospital on 12 December 2010.

Read more: G6 Tournament

Sekou Camara

The Malian striker who played for Pelita Bandung Raya (PBR), died from a heart attack during a practice session in Bandung, West Java, on 29th July, 2013

ADVERTISEMENT

Camara, 27, reportedly fell during the practice session and died on the way to the hospital.

Albert Ebossé Bodjongo

The Cameroonian striker  died on 23rd August, 2014 after his side, J.S Kabylie lost a league match. Findings by the Algerian authorities stated that the 24-year-old was killed by a sharp projectile thrown by fans.

But pathologist Andre Moune told BBC World TV: "When you see the injuries to his shoulders, the only way that can be explained is by a physical attack."

David Faramola Oniya

ADVERTISEMENT

Nigerian defender David Faramola Oniya died on Saturday 25th June, 2015 after collapsing on the pitch during a friendly between his Malaysian club T-Team and Kelantan.

The match was abandoned after 60 minutes when a message was received from the hospital that Oniya had died.

Read more: Today In History

Patrick Ekeng

On 6 May 2016, Ekeng came on as a second-half substitute in a televised match against Viitorul Constanța. He had been fatigued that day, and had told his best friend that he did not want to play.[15] Seven minutes after his entrance, with his team leading 3–2, he collapsed. He was transported and resuscitated at the hospital, and within two hours the medical staff confirmed that he had died

ADVERTISEMENT

Ismail Mrisho Khalfan

Ismail Mrisho Khalfan, a Tanzanian football player died on the field during a match, after being on the wrong end of a tackle in December, 2016

He was playing for Tanzanian club Mbao FC’s U-20 team, in a match against home side Mwadui FC.

Khalfan had even scored a goal in the first half of the match, proceeding to perform a peculiar celebration with his teammates.

However, the celebrations turned into tears moments later, when Khalfan was seen writhing in pain after being tackled.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 19-year-old never got up after being tackled, as the referee immediately rushed to his aid, while blowing his whistle to stop the game.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh

ADVERTISEMENT