OFF THE WALL

Player collapses, dies in Albanian league match

Former Ghana striker Raphael Dwamena died after collapsing Saturday during an Albanian Super League soccer match, writes Llazar Semini of The Associated Press.

The Albanian Football Federation confirmed the death of the 28-year-old Dwamena.

Footage on social media appeared to show the player by himself and falling over on the field in the 24th minute of the match between Dwamena’s Egnatia and Partizani.

Other players rushed over and, despite immediate medical intervention, the federation said “the player unfortunately passed away.”

The game was halted at 1-1 and was not resumed.

Dwamena, this season’s top scorer with nine goals in the Albanian Super League, made eight appearances for Ghana and scored twice.

“The Ghana Football Association

is sad to hear of the death of our former player Raphael Dwamena and wish to express our deepest condolences to his family at this difficult moment,” it said in a statement.

No details over a possible cause were given by the Albanian federation but local media reports focused on the player’s previous heart problems, including during one game in 2021 with Austria’s Blau-veis Linz when he was hospitalized with heart problems.

Dwamena’s career also included stints in Spain, Denmark and Switzerland.

The Brazilian coach of the Albanian national team, Sylvinho, said on social media: “Rest in peace. Condolences to family and friends.”

Spanish clubs Levante and Zaragoza expressed condolences over the death of their former player.

Dwamena signed for Levante in 2018 and played one season before being loaned out to Zaragoza, where he played in 201920.

“Our thoughts are with his family and his loved ones in these difficult moments. His legacy in our club will last forever,” Levante said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Zaragoza wrote on X: “We are devastated by the sad news of the passing of our former player Raphael Dwamena. You will always be in the memory of Zaragoza’s fans. Rest in peace.”

Trivia question

Only one major league pitcher has won 27 games since Philadelphia left-hander Steve Carlton did so in his magnificent 1972 Cy Young-winning season. Who was it?

He said it

From Minnesota Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs, on his trade and off-the-bench fairy-tale win last week against Atlanta: “Each week, there are storylines made. If you don’t show up next week, no one cares about last week.”

Trivia answer

Oakland A’s pitcher Bob Welch went 27-6 and won the American League Cy Young Award in 1990. Had the voting taken place today, Roger Clemens might have won with the emphasis on wins above replacement. Welch’s WAR was 2.9. Clemens’ was 10.4 and he had many more strikeouts (209-127). Clemens was 21-6 with a 1.93 ERA. Welch’s ERA was 2.95. Welch, who co-authored a book about his alcholism, died at 57 in an accidental fall in 2014 in his Seal Beach home.