Former international star and LaLiga footballer Raphael Dwamena dies aged 28 after heart attack on pitch

FORMER international football Raphael Dwamena has tragically died at the age of 28.

The Ghanaian was playing in the Albanian Super League for KF Egnatia when he collapsed on the pitch on Saturday.

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Raphael Dwamena has sadly passed away[/caption]

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Dwamena enjoyed a career in Spain with Levante and Real Zaragoza (pictured)[/caption]

His club announced on social media that the player had passed away, despite the medical team’s best efforts on the pitch.

The incident happened in the 23rd minute in a clash between Egnatia and Partizani Tirana.

Understandably, the match was called off with the score at 1-1.

Reports said that the player was quickly rushed to the nearest hospital in Kavaja.

However, he was pronounced dead shortly after suffering another heart attack as he was being treated.

Dwamena was capped nine times for his country, and scored two goals.

In 2017, it was discovered he had a heart defect and he suffered numerous heart-related issues.

In 2021, he had a implantable cardioverter-defibrillator fitted after collapsing in an Austrian Cup match.

Dwamena played for Levante in LaLiga. After learning of his sad death, the club released a statement.

They wrote on social media: “On behalf of #LevanteUD, we would like to express our sincere condolences for the passing of our former player, Raphael Dwamena. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time. His legacy at our club will always endure. RIP.”

The Ghana football association also released a statement.

It read: “Our thoughts are with the family of Raphael Dwamena at this difficult time. 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.”