Patrick Ekeng, a Cameroonian international, fell and is lying on the field. BeSoccer.
Thirteen years after Marc-Vivien Foe’s death, Cameroon football is once again in grief following the unfortunate death of Patrick Ekeng in Romania on Friday.
It’s not the first time that such an incident has happened on a football pitch. The causes can be many and they will be revealed by tests which will be carried out later,” Pandrea told Agerpres.
The news of the player’s death was met with disbelief in his home country.
“We’re devastated. Words can’t express my sadness,” the president of Cameroon’s Football Federation (FECAFOOT) Tombi A Roko Sidiki told AFP.
“(Cameroon has lost another) promising young footballer,” he said, adding they had been counting on Ekeng for the 2019 African Cup of Nations hosted by Cameroon.
The FECAFOOT president lamented a death which echoed previous tragedies which “are multiplying alas”.
Most recently defender Gregory Mertens died three days after suffering a heart attack playing for his Belgian side Lokeren in April 2015.
“FIFA (international federation) is trying to take measures. We hope (they) will help reduce such accidents,” Sidiki added.
On a football field, this kind of thing has happened previously. Tests that are conducted later will uncover the causes, which could be several, Pandrea informed Agerpres.
In his native nation, the player’s passing was greeted with shock.
“We’re inconsolable. Tombi A Roko Sidiki, head of Cameroon’s Football Federation (FECAFOOT), told AFP, “Words cannot explain how unhappy I am.
He remarked, “(Cameroon has lost another) promising young footballer,” adding that they had been depending on Ekeng for Cameroon’s hosting of the 2019 African Cup of Nations.
The president of FECAFOOT bemoaned a death that mirrored earlier catastrophes that “are multiplying alas.”
Gregory Mertens, a defender for most recently, passed away three days after having a heart attack while playing for.
In honor of the player, Romanian football also postponed all of this weekend’s games and rescheduled the Romanian Cup final, which was originally set for May 10 between CFR Cluj and Dinamo Bucharest.
“A nightmare”
Ionel Danciulescu, executive director of Dinamo, voiced his shock at a second club tragedy that occurred after Catalin Haldan died during a friendly in October 2000.
“It’s unbelievable. It is a bad dream. For myself, the group, and every Dinamo fan. It’s excessive,” Danciulescu remarked. “It’s as if we are cursed.”
Ekeng, a midfielder, began his career with the old African powerhouse Canon Yaoundé.
He joined Dinamo in January following multiple seasons in France, most notably with Le Mans of Ligue 2.
At the start of the season, he was without a club.
