Ghanaian soccer star Raphael Dwamena passed away at the age of 28 after collapsing on the field during a match on Saturday. The striker, who was the leading scorer in the Albanian league with nine goals this season, was playing for Egnatia against Partizani when the tragic incident occurred.
Egnatia, the club Dwamena represented, expressed their grief in a statement, saying, “Raphael represented Ghana wholeheartedly and paid his dues to the country until his unfortunate passing. We will forever miss him for his dedication to the National Coarse. Rest In Peace Raphael.”
Details surrounding the cause of Dwamena’s collapse have not been officially disclosed, but video footage shows the player falling in the 24th minute of the match. Players and medical personnel rushed to his side, and despite immediate intervention, they were unable to resuscitate him.
The Albanian Football Federation (AFL) issued a statement confirming Dwamena’s passing and expressing condolences to his family and Egnatia club. The AFL canceled Saturday’s match and postponed all scheduled games in Albania for the week.
Dwamena had previously experienced an on-field medical emergency in 2021 during a cup match in Austria. After recovering from the incident, which involved a heart operation and the implantation of an automatic defibrillator, he continued his playing career.
Despite a deal worth over $14 million with Brighton falling through due to a failed medical examination, Dwamena played for clubs in Spain, Switzerland, Austria, and Denmark during his relatively short career. Levante, one of the clubs he played for, expressed condolences, stating, “His legacy in our club will last forever.” Zaragoza, another club he played for, also paid tribute, saying, “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.”