An Algerian football player tragically died suddenly during a match at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.
Algeria football community is mourning as it hosts this year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN), a biennial African national association football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football.
Source: Saïd Fellak/Facebook
Ben Idir Mehenni suddenly collapsed on the pitch a few minutes before the end of the match against MC Rouiba. The incident occurred at the Reghaia stadium.
According to local media, Mehenni was rushed to the Reghaia hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Source: Africa Top Sports
Ben Idir Mehenni is a football player playing for the Algerian football club ‘Union Sportive de Oued Amizour.’
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The Algerian Football Federation paid tributes to Ben Idir Mehenni on its Twitter account.
The Vice President of the Mauritanian Football Federation, Abab Amgar Deing, also died in Algeria while he was on the Mauritanian national team competing in the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The Algerian Football Federation also paid tributes to Amgar Deing.
During the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2021, the MC Saïda player, Sofiane Loukar, also died during a match.
Radio Alegerie reported:
[Translation] MC Saïda player Sofiane Loukar died this Saturday during his team’s trip to the Habib Bouakeul stadium (Oran) to play against ASM Oran as part of the 10th day of the national league championship. 2, Center-West group.
The drama took place in the 25th minute following a telescoping between the deceased and his own goalkeeper . The head of the axial defender then hit the ground causing a head trauma, not detected at the time.
After receiving first aid, the player returned to the pitch, unaware that he was about to step onto the pitch for the last time in his life, as he collapsed again in the 35th minute. The medical staff of the two formations intervened to try to resuscitate him, before being evacuated in emergency, however, he died before even arriving at the hospital in Oran.