In a tragic turn of events, former Ghana international footballer Raphael Dwamena passed away at the age of 28 after collapsing during a match in the Albanian league.
The 28-year-old was playing for Albanian club KF Egnatia in a league match against Partizan on Saturday when he collapsed on the pitch.
"Despite the immediate intervention of specialist doctors he unfortunately passed away," said the Albanian Football Federation (AFL). "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."
A Promising Career Cut Short
Dwamena began his career as a youth player at Red Bull Salzburg. He went on to play for notable clubs such as FC Zurich, Levante UD, FC Liefering, and his recent club KF Egnatia. He also had stints in Spain, Austria, Denmark, and Switzerland.
In 2017, a proposed £14m move to Brighton fell through after Dwamena failed a medical. Despite this setback, he continued to shine on the field. He represented Levante in La Liga and also played for Real Zaragoza on loan.
Dwamena’s career was not without its challenges. In 2021, he collapsed during a cup match in Austria between his side Blau-Weiss Linz and Hartberg, but he recovered and continued his playing career. He reportedly had a heart operation and had an automatic defibrillator implanted.
Dwamena was known for his contributions to the Ghana national team. He made nine appearances and scored two goals for the national team. His dedication to his country was evident in every match he played.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) expressed its heartfelt condolences to Dwamena's family during this challenging time.
"He served his country well and showed class any time he represented Ghana," GFA president Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku said in a statement.
Dwamena was the leading scorer in the Albanian league this season with nine goals. His former teams, Levante and Zaragoza, have paid tribute to him, saying that his legacy in the world of football will be remembered by many.