Mali star Ousmane Coulibaly, 32, suffers heart attack on pitch and given emergency medical attention as match abandoned
MALI star Ousmane Coulibaly has suffered a heart attack during a league game in Qatar. The 16-cap international was playing for Al Wakrah during their QNB Stars League clash with Al Rayyan. But in horrifying scenes, Coulibaly, 32, collapsed late in the first half. Panicked medics rushed onto the pitch with the game temporarily halted. […]
MALI star Ousmane Coulibaly has suffered a heart attack during a league game in Qatar.
The 16-cap international was playing for Al Wakrah during their QNB Stars League clash with Al Rayyan.
But in horrifying scenes, Coulibaly, 32, collapsed late in the first half.
Panicked medics rushed onto the pitch with the game temporarily halted.
After realising the severity of the issue, the match was eventually abandoned, awarded as a 1-0 win for Al Rayyan, the scoreline at the time of Coulibaly’s collapse.
After the game, a league statement confirmed Coulibaly – who spent 12 years playing in Europe – had suffered a heart attack.
It read: “During the QNB Stars League match between Al Rayyan and Al Wakrah on Saturday, Ousmane Coulibaly suffered a heart attack which required the intervention of medical and ambulance staff present at the venue.
“It may be noted that the player is currently receiving necessary medical care and attention.
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“The Qatar Stars League wishes the player a fast recovery, and we would like to thank the medical staff of both teams, paramedics and doctors for their great efforts during such events.
“Regarding the status of the match, it was agreed to end it and complete the remaining time later starting with the score when it was stopped (1-0 in favour of Al Rayyan).”
The Qatar Players Association were quick to wish Coulibaly well.
They tweeted: “Get well soon Ousmane Coulibaly.”
Right-back Coulibaly’s collapse is the latest in a worrying trend of elite footballers suffering heart problems.
Last summer, Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s Euro 2020 clash with Finland and hasn’t played a competitive game since after being fitted with an ICD.
Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero was forced to retire just weeks into his time at Barcelona with a heart issue of his own.
Manchester United star Victor Lindelof complained of discomfort during last month’s game against Norwich and was withdrawn as a precaution.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, with ex-United star Will Keane recently opening up about Charlie Wyke’s ‘horrendous’ cardiac arrest.
Coulibaly played for French sides Guingamp and Brest early in his career, before playing for Greek teams Platanais and Panathinaikos.
He joined Al Wakrah in 2019 but was not picked for his nation’s Africa Cup of Nations squad, with the tournament starting on Sunday.