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Burundi Footballer, 20, Dies After On-Field Collapse as Probe Reviews Reported Amulet Coin

Officials have not confirmed a medical cause as investigators assess accounts that he swallowed a coin during the match.

Overview

  • Igiraneza Aimé Gueric collapsed on December 20 during a Burundi Second Division fifth‑round game between Les Guêpiers du Lac and LLB Amasipiri Never Give Up.
  • Pitch-side medics treated the 20‑year‑old before he was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead during the transfer.
  • Reports from local and international outlets say he had a coin in his mouth described as a ‘gris‑gris’ amulet, with some naming a 50 Rwandan franc piece, a detail authorities have not officially linked to the cause.
  • The Burundi football federation issued a condolence statement to the player’s family, his club and the national football community.
  • The federation and league have initiated inquiries into the circumstances, and the incident has renewed scrutiny of emergency medical readiness at lower‑division matches.