The Ivory Coast soccer federation have announced that Moustapha Sylla, 21, passed away after collapsing on the pitch during a football match.
Sylla passed out during the match between Racing Club Abidjan and SOL FC at the Robert Champroux Stadium in Abidjan.
The federation offered condolences to Sylla’s family and everyone at Racing Club Abidjan in “this moment of pain.”
Below are five other African footballers who died on the pitch:
1. Chieck Tiote (Died July 2017)
On June 5, 2017, Tioté died in Beijing, China, after suffering a cardiac arrest in training. Demba Ba was amongst the first to pay tribute to the Ivorian via social media, and soon afterwards, many of his former Newcastle teammates followed suit.
His former managers were similarly effusive with praise: Rafael Benítez labelled him “a true professional”, Alan Pardew described him as “everything that you want in a Newcastle player”, Steve McClaren (who had managed him at both Twente and Newcastle) remembered him as the toughest player he had ever seen, and Chris Hughton spoke of his humility and called him “the perfect fit”
2. Patrick Ekeng (Died May 6, 2016)
Former Cameroon international and Dinamo București midfielder, Patrick Ekeng, fell to the ground without any contact with another player in the 70th minute of the game against Viitorul, just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute.was taken to hospital, where he died less than two hours later. He had two international caps for his country’s national team, which he represented at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
“Resuscitation attempts were made for an hour and half without success,” Dinamo team doctor Liviu Batineanu told journalists.
3. Michael Umanika (Died August 15, 2016)
Former Nigerian midfielder, Michael Umanika who played professionally for Zagatala PFK, collapsed during a team training session in Zagatala. He died of a suspected heart ,attack.
4. Sam Okwaraji (Died August 1989)
Nigerian Football Icon, Samuel Okwaraji collapsed ten minutes from the end of a 1990 World Cup qualifier against Angola at the Lagos National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos State on 12 August 1989.
5. Ben Idrissa Dermé (Died September 11, 2016)
Former Burkina Faso international Ben Idrissa Dermé (34), AJ Biguglia. Died of a heart attack during a French cup match.
He played club football in France, Moldova and Burkina Faso. May their soul rest in perfect peace peace.
