A Ghana Premier League footballer has died after an armed robbery attack on his team bus, in an incident that has left the country’s football community in shock.
Dominic Frimpong, a 20-year-old winger for Berekum Chelsea, was fatally injured when gunmen opened fire on the team as they travelled home from a league match against FC Samartex.
The attack occurred on the Bibiani-Goaso road near Ahyiresu, where armed robbers reportedly blocked the team’s bus before shooting at it. Players and officials were forced to flee into nearby bushes in an attempt to escape the gunfire.
Frimpong sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was rushed to Bibiani Government Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, he was later pronounced dead.
The club confirmed the incident in a statement, describing the terrifying moments when the bus came under attack.
“On our way back to Berekum from Samreboi our team bus was attacked by a group of armed robbers who blocked the road to prevent our passage,” the statement said.
“Masked men welding guns and assault rifles started shooting at our bus as the driver tried to reverse. The players and staff fled into near by bushes to take cover.
“Unfortunately one of our players is badly injured and is receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital waiting to be transferred to the regional hospital.”
Frimpong had been one of the emerging talents for Berekum Chelsea this season, making 13 league appearances and scoring twice. His performances had marked him out as a promising figure in the squad during the current campaign.
In the aftermath of the attack, concerns remain for several players and officials who fled into the surrounding forest during the incident. Some are yet to be accounted for as search efforts continue.
The club expressed gratitude to those who responded in the immediate aftermath, including local residents and authorities.
“We are grateful to the police patrol team for its rapid response, sports journalists who quickly decimated the information, the town of Ashiresu which provided temporary shelter for our players and officials of Bibiani Gold stars who have offered tremendous support,” the statement added.
“We are also grateful to all well wishers and last but not the least the President of the Ghana Football Association for his prompt response in this difficult moment.”
The fatal attack has raised concerns about safety on roads used by sports teams travelling across the country. It also highlights the risks faced by clubs journeying between match venues in the domestic league.
