This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
Togolese Striker Kossi Koudagba Dies at 25 After Contracting Malaria ¶
Published on June 23, 2020
Kossi Koudagba, a 25-year-old Togolese striker, has died after contracting malaria while living in Lome, the capital city of Togo.
Koudagba, who played for ASC Kara, had returned home in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had suspended the Togolese league.
He had previously won the top scorer award in the Togolese league for two consecutive seasons and helped his club win the league title in 2019.
According to reports, Koudagba contracted malaria while living in Lome and died shortly after.
The Togolese Football Federation (FTF) has confirmed his death and expressed condolences to his family, loved ones, and the ASCK club.
"In this moment of sorrow, the FTF Board would like to pay tribute to the memory of this player, whose skills both inside and outside the pitch are well-known everywhere," the federation said in a statement.
"The FTF Board, on behalf of the Togolese football community, would like to send condolences to the family of the deceased, the ASCK club, and the players of the Togolese national team," the statement added.
Koudagba had been expected to join Tunisian club US Tataouine last year but was unable to do so due to heart problems.
He had played three matches for the Togolese national team and was part of the African Nations Championship 2019 squad.
