African players' sudden death tragedy

CAIRO - 9 June 2017: Sudden death cases in African football are increasing despite the precautions and the periodic medical examinations.

Many players died on pitches and on the training grounds. We will mention the most memorable cases in the African football history.

5-Cheick Tiote

The football world shocked in the last days after news came from China announcing death of 30 years old Cheick Tiote, who was an Ivorian professional player earned 52 caps for his national team.

Tiote died on Monday June 5, after suffering a cardiac arrest while training with his team Beijing Enterprises. He played for 7 years in the Premier League with Newcastle United.

4- Endurance Idahor

Idahor was a Nigerian football player who played as a striker for Al-Merreikh in Sudan, died at the age of 23 during a match on March 6, 2010 of a suspected heart attack.

Idahor was the top scorer of the Sudanese club and led them to play in the CAF Confederation Cup after 20 years of absence.

3- Mohamed Abdel Wahab

The 22 year old former Egyptian footballer died during Al-Ahly morning training session on August 31, 2006 suffering from a heart disease.

Abdel Wahab won The African Cup of Nations in 2006 held in Egypt and he also won the Egyptian league and the African Champions League in 2005.

2- Hedi Berkhissa

The former Tunisian player died at 24 on the Pitch during a match between his team Esperance and Lyon in Tunisia after having a heart attack on January 4, 1997.

Berkhissa was the Tunisian and Arab player of the year in 1995.

1-Marc Vivian Foe

Former Manchester City and west ham player died at 28 during a competitive match on June 26, 2003 in the Confederation Cup Semi-Final between his team Cameroon and Colombia, suffering from a hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Foe won 2 African Cup of Nations titles in a row with his national team Cameroon.

CAF must watch and analyze these cases and try to discover them early to prevent the loss of great footballers and persons.