Tiote joins long list of African footballers who died on the pitch

Ivory Coast international Cheick Tiote died on Monday in China. The former Newcastle star died after collapsing during training with his club, Beijing Enterprises, who confirmed the dead. He was 30.

The club said the former Newcastle midfielder died about one hour after losing consciousness in training. He joins a long list of African footballers that have died from cardiac arrests while playing.

The club statement read, “At approximately 6p.m of June 5, 2017, when the team was having their regular training session, our foreign player from Ivory Coast, Mr Cheik Tiote, fainted without any warning. The club sent him to hospital immediately. However, all revival measures proved ineffective. Mr Tiote passed away at approximate 7p.m. The club has already contacted his family.

“Since joining Beijing BG football club on Feb 5, 2017, Mr Cheik Tiote has contributed to the club significantly. His football skills and professionalism have been much appreciated and highly praised by the club, the coaches and his teammates. Hereby, Beijing BG football club expresses our deepest sorrow following Mr Tiote’s passing.”

Tiote moved to China in February after signing with the second-division club from Newcastle. The defensive midfielder spent six-and-a-half seasons on Tyneside, making more than 150 appearances while playing in both the Premier League and Championship.

Newcastle noted Tiote’s remarkable volley to equalise in a 4-4 draw with Arsenal in 2011 – incidentally his only goal for the club.

Newcastle’s statement on Monday said, “We are devastated to have learnt of the tragic passing of Cheick Tiote at the age of just 30. The thoughts of everyone at Newcastle United are with Cheick’s family, friends, teammates and everyone connected with the clubs he represented.”

Tiote also made 53 appearances for Ivory Coast and was in the squad that won the 2015 African Nations Cup. He played at the World Cup in both 2010 and 2014.

His former teammates also expressed condolences on social media as word of his death spread

Black/African footballers that have died from cardiac arrests while playing (Courtesy Wikipedia):

– Samuel Okwaraji (Nigeria)

– Amir Angwe (Nigeria)

– Hedi Berkhissa (Tunisia)

– John Ikoroma (Nigeria)

– Bobsam Elejiko (Nigeria)

– Endurance Idahor (Nigeria)

– Chinonso Ihelwere Henry (Nigeria)

– Victor Omogbehin (England)

– Marc-Viven Foe (Cameroon)

– Mohammed Abdelwahab (Egypt)

– Chaswe Nsofwa (Nigeria)

– Guy Tchingoma (Gabon)

– Orobosan Adun (Nigeria)

– Sekou Camara (Mali)

– Shetemi Ayetigbo (Ireland)

– David Oniya (Nigeria)

– Kodjo Etonam Adjassou (Togo)

– Bart Opoku (Ghana)

– Benjamin Owusu (Ghana)

– Mohamed Lemine M’Boye (Tanzania)

– Ambrose Wleh (Liberia)

– Patrick Ekeng (Cameroon)

— Cheick Tiote (Ivory Coast)