Former La Liga star and Ghana striker Raphael Dwamena, 28, dies after collapsing during Albanian Super League match… as tributes flood in from the player’s former clubs

• Dwamena played for Spanish clubs Levante and Zaragoza during his career
• The 29-year-old was the top scorer in the Albanian Super League this season
• DOMINIC KING: I don’t understand what football is anymore – It’s All Coming Up 

Former Ghana striker Raphael Dwamena has died after collapsing Saturday during an Albanian Super League match.

The Albanian Football Federation confirmed the death of the 28-year-old Dwamena.

Footage on social media appeared to show the player by himself and falling over on the field in the 24th minute of the match between Dwamena’s Egnatia and Partizani.

Other players rushed over and, despite immediate medical intervention, the federation said ‘the player unfortunately passed away.’

The game was halted at 1-1 with no further play. Dwamena, this season’s top scorer with nine goals in the Albanian Super League, made eight appearances for Ghana and scored twice.

Ghana’s Raphael Dwamena (centre) has died after collapsing during a match in Albania

Dwamema spent two years in LaLiga with Levante, playing 12 league games but failling to score

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An official statement from the Ghana football team said: ‘The Ghana Football Association is sad to hear of the death of our former player Raphael Dwamena and wish to express our deepest condolences to his family at this difficult moment.’

No details over a possible cause were given by the Albanian federation but local media reports focused on the player’s previous heart problems, including one game in 2021 with Austria´s Blau-Veis Linz when he was hospitalized with heart problems.

Dwamena’s career also included stints in Spain, Denmark and Switzerland.

The Brazilian coach of the Albanian national team, Sylvinho, said on social media: ‘Rest in peace. Condolences to family and friends.’

Spanish clubs Levante and Zaragoza expressed condolences over the death of their former player.

Dwamena signed for Levante in 2018 and played one season before being loaned out to Zaragoza, where he played in 2019-20.

‘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 X.

Zaragoza also said on X: ‘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.’

During the Ghanaian’s stint with Levante he was loaned out to Real Zaragoza in the 2019-20 season

Former clubs Real Zaragoza and Levante paid tribute to Dwamena on social media after the news was announced

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