Ivory Coast defender Moustapha Sylla has died after collapsing during a Ligue 1 match against SOL FC on Sunday.
The 21-year-old is reported to have suffered a heart attack in the middle of Sunday’s game and he was confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital.
Racing Club d’Abijan confirmed the tragic news on its social media accounts and it has been followed with tributes from several African clubs and the country’s football icons including Didier Drogba.
“Our defender Sylla Moustapha, died this evening after a discomfort on the ground during the RCA vs Sol FC match.
“Management sends sincere condolences to the biological family. Rest in peace Mustapha. Rest in peace Lion,” the tweet read.
Deuil ⚫⚫
Notre défenseur Sylla Moustapha, est décédé ce soir après un malaise sur le terrain lors de la rencontre RCA vs Sol FC
La Direction adresse les sincères condoléances à la famille Biologique
Repose en paix Moustapha
Repose en paix LION???? pic.twitter.com/itIMLvCIzQ— Racing Club Abidjan (@ClubAbidjan) March 5, 2023
Drogba tweeted: “Condolences to Ivorian football. 3 deaths of Ivorian pro league players in less than 4 years, where are the compulsory medical visits for each professional player? Blood test, ECG, stress tests?? When is the arrival of sports medicine?”
Condoléances au football Ivoirien ????????
3 décès de joueurs de la ligue pro Ivoirienne en moins de 4 ans
A quand les visites médicales obligatoires pour chaque joueurs “” professionnels “”
Prise de sang, ECG, tests d’efforts??
A quand l’arrivée de la médecine sportive ????????♂️???????????????— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) March 6, 2023
Racing Club d’Abidjan later won the match by 3-1 and rose to the ninth spot in the MTN Ligue 1 table with 27 points after 20 matches.
The club announced that Moustapha has been buried today at the municipal cemetery of Dabou.
