Sports

Ghanaian striker, Raphael Dwamena collapses during match, dies

Published

1 year ago

November 12, 2023

Ghana international striker, Raphael Dwamena slumped and died on Saturday after suffering a heart attack during a Superliga match between his club, KF Egnatia and Partizani Tirana in Albanian.

The 28-years-old Dwamena collapsed on the pitch in the 24th minute of the game and was treated by the medics on the field before being rushed towards the nearest hospital, but died before the ambulance could get to the hospital.

Dwamena, who was the leading scorer in the Albanian league with nine goals, had ignored advise to quit footfall after he was first diagnosed with a heart defect in 2017.

Dwamena won nine caps for Ghana and was once considered one of the country’s rising stars. He was, in 2017, discovered to have a heart condition when he was on the verge of joining Brighton in the EPL but the deal fell through after he failed a medical.

In 2020, he underwent a heart operation and had an automatic defibrillator implanted to allow him to continue playing.

Following this operation, he had short playing stints in the Danish, Austrian, and Swiss leagues, all against advise from medical doctors, before joining Albanian team, KF Egnatia in January this year.

Even with the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, Dwamena reportedly collapsed in an Austrian Cup match in 2021 and was again told to retire from football if he wanted to stay alive, a warning he once again ignored.

While reacting to the death of the player, the Ghanaian Football Association said in a statement on Sunday:

“The Ghana Football Association is sad to hear of the death of our former player Raphael Dwamena and wish to express our deepest condolences to his family at this difficult moment.”

Two of his former clubs in the Spanish league, Levante and Zaragoza, also took to social media to express their condolences over his death.

“Our thoughts are with his family and his loved ones in these difficult moments. His legacy in our club will last forever,” Levante said on X.

Zaragoza also wrote on X:

“We are devastated by the sad news of the passing of our former player Raphael Dwamena. You will always be in the memory of Zaragoza’s fans. Rest in peace.”

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Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

11 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.

Sports

SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe passes away

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

South African football legend, Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe, has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness.

According to South African media, Moripe lit up the country’s football fields in the 1970s and became a rallying point for football in the country, especially in the apartheid era.

“Moripe, who mesmerised opponents and spectators alike during an injury ravaged career, spent his last years confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, and died at his home on Tuesday at the age of 71,” one media report said.

“Moripe, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the country has produced by those who saw him play, was called “the god of football”’ by adoring fans during the early 1970s in a nod to his natural talents.

“He was feared by defenders and goalkeepers and his style of play was synonymous with flair, finesse and the golden era of South African football.

“In recent years Moripe was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a mild stroke that was worsened by the effects of a long-term knee injury that stopped his playing career in the late 1980s.

“Throughout his career, Moripe played for the Orlando Pirates and the Pretoria Callies, winning the respect of both teammates and supporters.

“In 2010, the Atteridgeville Super Stadium was renamed the Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium in honor of his noteworthy achievements to South African football. Major football games are still held at this stadium, which now stands as a tribute to his legacy.

“Moripe’s career highlights include leading Pretoria Callies to victory against top clubs and earning the 1973 NPSL Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year titles.

“He also played internationally for Caroline Hill in Hong Kong and briefly for Orlando Pirates. Persistent knee injuries ended his playing career in the late 1980s.”