Former Black Stars player Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu expressed his sorrow as he paid tribute to his late teammate Raphael Dwamena at the latter’s funeral.
Speaking at the service held at Adjiringanor Astro Turf in Accra on Friday, Agyemang-Badu remembered Dwamena as a talented and dedicated footballer who always strived to do his best.
“He was a great guy, very calm, respectful and he worked very hard” Agyemang-Badu recalled. “He was out there to feed his family and to make Ghana proud, but unfortunately, this happened. May the Lord keep him well.”
"He was out there to feed his family and to make Ghana proud, but unfortunately, this happened. May the Lord keep him well." – Agyeman Badu talks about the late Black Stars player, Raphael Dwamena.#NewsCentral pic.twitter.com/hRzx2Yjs8s
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) February 16, 2024
Dwamena suffered a fatal cardiac arrest during a league match between KF Egnatia and KF Partizani in Albania on November 11, 2023. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, he did not survive.
Dwamena had previously faced health issues related to his heart, including being fitted with a heart monitor in 2017.
Nevertheless, he persisted in pursuing his passion, ultimately becoming the top scorer in the Albanian league before his untimely demise.
Tributes have been paid to Raphael Dwamena, the captain of KF Egnatia, who lost consciousness during the start of the match against Partizan on November 11. The match resumed today in the 24th minute. pic.twitter.com/gKZUGc0m7a
— Albanian Football 🇦🇱 (@Albaniafooty_EN) November 24, 2023
He amassed nearly 200 matches as a professional footballer, with an impressive record of 98 goals and 42 assists at club level.
For the Black Stars, he scored two goals in nine appearances.