Albanian prosecutors have launched an investigation into the untimely death of Ghanaian striker Raphael Dwamena.
The 28-year-old captain of KF Egnatia tragically suffered a cardiac arrest during a league match on Saturday. Following initial on-field medical attention, he was swiftly transported to the hospital in an ambulance. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead en route.
The investigation is aimed at determining the circumstances surrounding Dwamena’s death, with prosecutors gathering information and questioning the team and medical staff. A forensic investigation will also be conducted to determine the cause of death, while a record of the player’s medical history has been obtained from the club.
The striker had a history of heart issues, having been diagnosed with a heart condition in 2017. Despite playing with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) Dwamena faced challenges, collapsing multiple times during games.
His ordeal led to his release from Austrian club Blau-Weiss Linz in 2021 after collapsing during a cup match.
Dwamena’s football journey included a notable stint with FC Zürich, where he made an immediate impact by scoring 12 goals in 18 matches, helping the club secure promotion to the Swiss Super League.
A proposed move to Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion in 2017 fell through due to a failed medical attributed to his heart condition. Subsequently, he signed with La Liga side Levante UD in 2018.
Despite recommendations for immediate withdrawal and retirement from football in 2019 following further examinations of his heart condition, Dwamena persevered, having an ICD implemented in January 2020. He began his club career at Liefering and also played for Vejle BK and Levante.
Dwamena’s international career saw him make his debut in 2017 during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia, where he scored a brace. In total, he scored two goals in nine appearances for the national team.