Ivorian player Savadogo Abima, dies after air collision

A young football player was pronounced dead on Saturday in Ivory Coast after colliding with his goalkeeper in an attempt to save an incoming ball.


Savadogo Abima, 17, who was a defender at Shadrach Football Club in Mafere, south of the Ivorian commercial capital Abidjan, collapsed during a weekend match against Bonoua Sport in the Regional Division after bumping into his own keeper while both men were trying to deflect a dangerous air ball.

The player was reported to have dropped to the field on his back and was knocked unconscious before being rushed to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead minutes later.

The Ivorian Football Federation confirmed the incident to supersport.com on Monday, and said an investigation had been opened by the local police.