TIRANA, November 13, 2023 - Ghana striker Raphael Dwamena has died aged 28 after collapsing on the pitch during a league match in Albania on Saturday between his club Egnatia and Partizani.

An Albanian FA statement said: “Despite the immediate intervention of specialist doctors he unfortunately passed away. The AFL expresses its deepest condolences to the Dwamena family and the Egnatia club for this great loss that has shocked the entire Albanian football community,”

LEADING SCORER Dwamena was the leading scorer in the Albanian league this season with nine goals. He had won nine caps and scored two goals for his country.

Saturday’s match was abandoned and the federation has postponed all games scheduled in Albania this week.

The Ghana Football Association said it sent “our deepest condolences to his family at this difficult moment”.

HEART CONDITION In 2017 a proposed £14m move to Brighton fell through after Dwamena failed a medical. He went on to represent Levante in La Liga and also played for Real Zaragoza on loan.

In 2021 he collapsed during a cup match in Austria between his side Blau-Weiss Linz and Hartberg, but recovered and continued his playing career.

He reportedly had a heart operation and had an automatic defibrillator implanted.

LASTING LEGACY “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 social media.

Zaragoza 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.”