Tragedy in soccer, Sylla dead at 21 after falling ill on the field© Provided by Sportal
Great mourning in Côte d'Ivoire over disappearance of very young defender. Tragedy on the soccer field in Ivory Coast. Racing d'Abidjan defender Moustapha Sylla died at the age of 21 after an illness on the field.
Reporting this to AFP was the president of the Ivorian club, Logossina Cissé: "Moustapha Sylla died Sunday night following an illness on the field during the match with Sol FC. Sylla passed away during transport to the hospital. He had arrived in September and was only 21 years old."
The boy, who died during the transfer to the hospital, had only been with the Abidjan club for a few months.
Moustapha Sylla collapsed on the pitch when his club, Racing Club d'Abidjan, faced SOL FC in a league game on Sunday which they eventually won 3-1. Harrowing video footage from the Ivory Coast shows the left-sided defender taking several steps backwards before losing his balance and dropping down near the centre-circle.
Frightened team-mates and opposition players immediately called for the referee to stop the game. Club president Logossina Cisse confirmed to AFP that the 21-year-old had sadly died in an ambulance as emergency services rushed to try and save his life. "During his evacuation to the hospital, Moustapha died," Cisse said. "He arrived at the club last September and was only 21."
RC Abidjan added in a statement posted on their Twitter page: "Our defender Moustapha Sylla died this evening following an illness on the pitch during the RCA vs Sol FC match. Management sends sincere condolences to the family."
On Facebook, the Ivorian Football Federation paid tribute, as a post read: The President of the Ivorian Football Federation and his executive committee regret to announce the death of player Moustapha Sylla, left-back of the Racing Club of Abidjan, on Sunday, March 5, 2023, after falling on the lawn of the Robert Champroux stadium, during the match. Urgently transported to a hospital center, the 21-year-old player unfortunately succumbed to his discomfort.
SAD NEWS 😭
— Africa Soccer Zone (@AfricaSoccer_zn) March 5, 2023
Ivory Coast and Racing Club d'Abidjan defender, Sylla Moustapha has passed away after suffering what looks like a cardiac arrest in his sides Ligue 1 match against SOL FC.
Moustapha joined RCA from Malian side Djoliba AC.
May his soul REST IN PEACE 🙏 🇨🇮 pic.twitter.com/PNvnEWFiwl
