Ghana’s Berekum Chelsea, a professional football club, is in shock after winger Dominic Frimpong was shot dead during an armed robbery attack on the team bus, the Ghana Football Association said on Monday.

The incident occurred on Sunday at Goaso Bibiani Road when the team was returning from a Ghana Premier League match against Summertex in Samareboi town in southern Ghana. The Ghana Premier League is the top level of football in the West African country.

According to a club statement, armed men blocked the road and opened fire on the team bus, Reuters reports.

“On the way back from Samreboi to Berekum, our team bus was attacked by a group of armed robbers who blocked the road to prevent our passage,” the club said. “As the driver attempted to turn the bus back, masked men carrying guns and assault rifles began firing at our bus. The players and staff ran into nearby bushes to hide.”

The Ghana Football Association later confirmed that 20-year-old Frimpong died in the attack, and described his death as a major loss to football in the country.

“The GFA is deeply shocked and saddened by the sad news of the passing of Dominic Frimpong of Berekum Chelsea Football Club,” the association said. “This tragic incident is a huge loss not only for the club but for Ghanaian football as a whole. Dominic was a promising young talent whose dedication and passion for the game reflected the spirit of the league.”

The governing body said it would strengthen security arrangements for teams traveling for domestic competitions in response to the incident.

The attack has raised concerns over the safety of sports teams traveling by road in Ghana. In 2023, another club, Legon Cities, also reported an attack on their team bus after a match in Summertex, although no injuries were recorded.

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