Burundi international, Papy Faty died on Thursday afternoon, in Swaziland after he slumped while playing in a football match.
Faty, 28, was on the field for 15 minutes playing for Malanti Chiefs against Green Mamba at Killarney Stadium in Pigg’s Peak before he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
He was advised by doctors in January to stop playing due to a heart condition but rejected advice and a heart operation and was let go by his club at the time Bidvest Wits in South Africa.
Faty had recently returned to the national team after being frozen out of the team for three years and was part of the team that qualified for the African Cup of Nation for the first time.
He was an unused substitute in Burundi’s 1-1 draw with Gabon that secured their place in Egypt and told Kickoff before the game that his health issues was a thing of the past.
“I am not sick of that [heart] condition anymore.
“And because it’s the last game and we need one point to qualify so they need experienced players and players that have been there before to fight for the nation
“That’s why the federation and coach called me and asked about my situation. I told them how it is.”
Faty previously played for Turkish side Trabzonspor and was named by Goal.com as one of the 10 African Players to Watch in 2009.
He made his debut for Burundi in 2008 against Seychelles and was capped 29 times, scoring three goals.
Burundi will face Nigeria, Guinea and Madagascar in Group B.