{
  "id": 18106565,
  "title": "From Okwaraji to De Miguel: 10 footballers who died during matches",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/from-okwaraji-to-de-miguel-10-footballers-who-died-during-matches-18106565",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-04T10:49:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/from-okwaraji-to-de-miguel-10-footballers-who-died-during-matches/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Over the years, football has tragically claimed the lives of several players during matches. From Nigerian international Samuel Okwaraji to Cameroonian midfielder Marc-Vivien Foé, these deaths have shocked the sporting world. Here are ten footballers whose deaths during matches have left a lasting impact.\n\n1. Samuel Okwaraji, representing Nigeria, passed away in 1989 during a World Cup qualifier match against Angola after suffering heart failure.\n\n2. Cameroonian Marc-Vivien Foé tragically died in 2003 while playing for Cameroon against Colombia in the Confederations Cup semi-final, succumbing to cardiac arrest despite medical efforts.\n\n3. Hungarian striker Miklós Fehér died in 2004 during a league match against Vitória de Guimarães after collapsing on the pitch due to cardiac arrest.\n\n4. Sevilla midfielder Antonio Puerta collapsed during a Spanish league game against Getafe in 2007, succumbing to cardiac complications shortly after his return to the pitch.\n\n5. Nigerian striker Endurance Idahor passed away in 2010 after collapsing during a league match between Al-Merrikh and Al-Amal, leaving fans in shock.\n\n6. Italian midfielder Piermario Morosini died in 2012 after suffering a cardiac emergency during a Serie B match against Pescara, prompting discussions on emergency medical protocols.\n\n7. Indian footballer Peter Biaksangzuala tragically died in 2014 after sustaining a severe spinal injury while celebrating a goal, leading to tributes from the Indian football community.\n\n8. Cameroonian midfielder Patrick Ekeng died in 2016 after collapsing during a league match against Viitorul Constanța, raising concerns over emergency medical equipment availability.\n\n9. Ghanaian striker Raphael Dwamena passed away in 2023 after suffering a cardiac emergency during an Albanian league game, prompting renewed discussions on cardiac conditions among footballers.\n\n10. Spanish striker Jesús de Miguel's death in 2026 followed a medical emergency during a match against FC Andorra, following a collision with the goalkeeper.",
  "summary": "Following the death of Jesús de Miguel, here is a list of 10 footballers, including Samuel Okwaraji and Marc-Vivien Foé, who died during matches. Read More: https://punchng.com/from-okwaraji-to-de-miguel-10-footballers-who-died-during-matches/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}