Burundi’s 28 year old play maker Papy Faty has died after collapsing on the football pitch during a match in Eswatini, the player was in action for his club Malanti chiefs against the Green Mamba in the Killarney stadium in Pigg’s Peak in the afternoon of Thursday 25th
Faty collapsed 15miniutes into the game and was rushed to the hospital from where he was pronounced dead, “we have learnt with great sadness of the passing of Burundi international Papy Faty we join the rest in sending condolences to Mr. Faty’s family and friends and the entire football fraternity of Burundi,” a statement read from the Eswatini (former Swaziland) ministry of sports.
The match between Malanti Chiefs and Green Mamba was part of the MTN Premier League match, “It is with consternation that we learned of the death of Papy Faty the son of this nation who puts his passion at the service of his homeland,” said Burundi’s president Pierre Nkurunziza.
Born in 1990 Faty started his career as a professional footballer in 2007 playing for a Burundian based club AS Inter Star, but later in 2008 joined Trabzonspor but was later loaned to MVV both in South Africa. Trabzonspor released the Burundian ace by mutual consent making him a free agent.
The play maker in 2011 joined a Rwandan Club APR for a one year spell and later played for Bidvest Wits, the 28-year-old had a history of heart-related complications which led to Wits releasing him from his contract a few seasons ago. Various sources say that Faty has been ignoring medical advice to stop playing football for the last few years. After playing for Wits, he turned out for Real Kings in the South African National First Division (NFD), but he was released after just two matches.
His death comes a few months away for the Burundian national team the Swallows (Intamba mu rugamba), to play their first ever game in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) continent’s prestigious men football tournament.
Faty made 21 appearances for his national team with his last match coming last month helping the team to qualify for the AFCON, Faty came on as a substitute in the crucial match against Gabon which ended 1-1 draw that proved enough for Burundi to qualify.