Football - Burundi: Player dies in a match

Igiraneza Aimé Guéric, midfielder for a Burundian second division club, Les Guêpiers du Lac, tragically died after an encounter against LLB Amasipiri Never Give Up. According to testimonies on the spot, his death was caused by a coin swallowed by the player in the middle of the match.

Held at the National Technical Center in Ngaraga on Saturday, December 20, this national second division meeting saw the tragic death of Igiraneza Aimé Guéric who suddenly collapsed on the pitch.

Despite the intervention of the medical teams, the player died during his transport to the hospital. Immediately, the Burundian Football Federation published a statement of condolences to the family of the player and his club, Les Guêpiers du Lac, without however explaining the cause of death.

Now, according to several testimonies on the spot, the cause of death would be a coin that the midfielder had in his mouth and unfortunately swallowed.

Why did the player have a coin in his mouth?
As reported by the African Public Radio, this coin was visibly a "gri-gri"hugely associated with witchcraft. Several reports suggest that this practise of depending on native and witch doctors to determine the outcome of football matches is very recurrent in Burundi.

A scourge, costly in addition for clubs and players already less fortunate, which was obviously the cause of the death of Igiraneza Aimé Guéric. A big grey spot on the public opinion and football of the country as world wide interest grows on the need for clarification on this matter.

The federation, on its part, has not yet provided more details.