With less than two months to the commencement of the 2019 African Cup of Nations, one of Nigeria’s group opponents, Burundi have lost a player.
According to the BBC, Faty, 28, was playing for local team Melanti Chiefs, whom he joined in early February.
They were playing against Green Mamba when he collapsed after only about 15 minutes on the pitch.
He was rushed to hospital, where he was declared dead.
Burundi Football Federation (BFA) president Reverien Ndikuriyo described Faty’s passing as a ‘hard blow’ as the East Africans prepare to debut at the Nations Cup in Egypt.
“On behalf of the BFA and myself, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and to Burundi football. It’s a hard blow coming after we qualified for the 2019 Nations Cup,” said Ndikuriyo.
The country’s sports minister Harries Bulunga also expressed his condolences in a statement.
Faty was released from his contracts at South African clubs Bidvest Wits and Real Kings due to a long-standing heart condition.
Unable to join a club in South Africa, he moved to Swaziland and joined Melanti Chiefs on a six-month deal in February.
His two goals in seven matches in eSwatini caught the attention of selectors in March and he was recalled to the national set-up after a three-year absence.
Faty was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw with Gabon at home in March that sealed Burundi’s maiden spot at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
He only confirmed last week to local media that he had been advised by doctors in January to stop playing, but that he had rejected the advice and a heart operation because he believed his heart issues were behind him.
Faty made his international debut in June 2008, scoring three goals in 28 appearances for The Swallows.
