Raphael Dwamena, former Levante and Zaragoza player, dies at 28 after collapsing in a match in Albania

The Ghanaian footballer Raphael Dwamena, who played for Levante (2018-2019 season) and Real Zaragoza (2019-2020) and who was currently in the Albanian league, died this Saturday at the age of 28 due to fainting. during a match with his team, Egnatia.

At one point during the match, Dwamena fainted on the pitch, became completely immobile and, after several attempts to revive him, was taken by ambulance to a hospital where he died.

This is reported in various Albanian media.. When he was playing for Real Zaragoza, in October 2019, the African striker suffered dizziness triggered by tachycardia at almost 280 heartbeats.

The team of cardiologists at the Miguel Servet hospital in the Aragonese capital then detected a pathology incompatible with professional sports.

Dwamena suffered from a structural heart disease that made him prone to developing malignant ventricular arrhythmias, manifesting especially at times of maximum effort and even putting his life at risk.

He did not play again with Real Zaragoza, although he remained active in some training sessions at the Ciudad Deportiva until the end of that season interrupted by the covid pandemic.

A year ago, journalist Nicola Berger interviewed Dwamena for a report about his life in the Zurich newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung.. The footballer's testimony revealed something that was already known in Zaragoza: he was a man dedicated to faith, without fear, very religious, and convinced that medicine would not be what would take him out of football.

In said interview, he pointed out that “if I die, that is God's will.”. I'm leaving and that's it. Forgotten. People around me will be sad for a few hours, or maybe even a few weeks. But they will get over it and move on.. I don't live my life to please people.. Just goodbye”.

Expressions of condolence

After hearing the news of his death, there have been numerous expressions of condolence. Real Zaragoza have written: “We are devastated by the sad news of the death of our former player Raphael Dwamena. We want to send all our love and affection to his family and loved ones. You will always be in the memory of all Zaragoza. Rest in peace”.

For its part, Levante, the other Spanish club in which the player played, has spread the following message: “On behalf of Levante, we want to express our most sincere condolences for the death 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.”

Also “LaLiga wishes to convey its most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Raphael Dwamena. May he rest in peace,” according to its official account.