Moustapha Sylla, a 21-year-old Ivory Coast player, died of a heart attack.
On Sunday, the defender collapsed during a match between Racing Club Abidjan and SOL FC at Abidjan’s Robert Champroux Stadium.
Video footage showed the left-back losing his footing and collapsing near the center circle, prompting opposition players to rush to his aid.
As Sylla was removed off the field, officials chose to continue the play in the Ivorian premier flight.
‘Moustapha Sylla died Sunday night suffering an illness on the field during the encounter with Sol FC,’ said Logossina Cissé, president of the Ivorian club.
‘Sylla died while being transported to the hospital. He was only 21 years old when he came in September.’
RC Abidjan said on its Twitter account: ‘Our defender Sylla Moustapha died this evening after a sickness on the pitch.
‘Management expresses heartfelt sympathy to his family. Moustapha, rest in peace. LION, rest in peace.’
Sylla’s funeral will be conducted on Monday at the municipal cemetery in Dabou, Ivory Coast, according to the club.
Sylla joined RC Abidjan from Djoliba AC in September of last year.
🔴Côte d’ivoire: Sylla Moustapha, 21 ans, défenseur du Racing Club d'Abidjan, est décédé dimanche, lors d’une rencontre de Ligue1 🇨🇮 face à SOL FC. L’ancien joueur du @DjolibaAC au Mali, s'est effondré en plein match (voir vidéo 👇). Il a succombé à un arrêt cardiaque. ☹️ #CIV225 pic.twitter.com/87sucS1gwr
— LSI AFRICA (@lsiafrica) March 5, 2023
