Footballer dies on pitch.

[Ballfrozy]

Nigerian striker Endurance Idahor has died after collapsing during a game in Sudan on Saturday.

Idahor, 25, who played for Al Merreikh club, collapsed during the league game with Al Amal in Omdurman.

He is believed to have died on the pitch after a minor incident in the penalty area of the visiting side.

"It was a normal incident of obstruction," said the official who asked not to be named as he was not authorised to talk to the media.

"He fell over and now he has passed away. It is a huge shock to Sudan's whole sporting family."

The referee immediately halted Saturday's home game with their rivals Amal from northern Atbara.

The former U-23 international started his top flight career with Nigerian side Julius Berger before joining rivals Dolphins in 2004.

He clinched the move to Al Merreikh in 2006 and was sent on loan to Saudi side in 2008 before returning to the Sudanese side.

Idahor finished as top scorer during his first season in Sudan.

He scored 118 goals in 176 appearances for the Omdurman side.

[damian]

Not good, any idea what he died of? Looks like possibly a swallowed tongue?

[schwarzer_incal]

This is happening far too often recently ...

[damian]

This is happening far too often recently ...

I thought the same thing, but 10 years ago, would a player dying in an African league even make the news here?

It's still pretty rare (I can only think of a few cases with major players in the last few years... Foe, Puerta)

[Aaron]

This is happening far too often recently ...

I thought the same thing, but 10 years ago, would a player dying in an African league even make the news here?

It's still pretty rare (I can only think of a few cases with major players in the last few years... Foe, Puerta)

You can add these to the list too:

Hrvoje Ćustić - hes the Croatian guy that hit his head on the surrounding concrete wall. Why they had the wall so close in the first place is beyond me. There is footage of this on youtube.

Phil O'Donnell - played for Motherwell and died of a seizure in 2007.

Miklós Fehér - died of a heart attack whilst playing for Benfica. There is footage of this on youtube.

There is a list somewhere of all the players that have died during football related activites. I'll see if i can find it

[Aaron]

Yeah I found it! Take a look - its worth a read IMO

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fo ... le_playing

[damian]

The Custic one is terrible, I remember that....