AFCON 2023 winner Ndicka in stable condition after collapsing on the pitch during Roma match

Ivorian defender Evan N'Dicka on a stretcher after collapsing during Roma's match against Udinese | Imago

AFCON 2023 winner Ndicka in stable condition after collapsing on the pitch during Roma match

Ayoola Kelechi 13:38 - 15.04.2024

Evan Ndicka collapsed and was rushed to the hospital during Roma's match against Udinese

The football world was shaken as AS Roma's defender Evan Ndicka collapsed on the pitch during their match against Udinese. The central defender, who was a key player in Ivory Coast’s AFCON 2023-winning team, fell backwards onto the ground 18 minutes from time, prompting immediate concern from players, fans, and officials alike.

A Terrifying Moment for Ndicka

With the score tied at 1-1, Ndicka's sudden collapse halted the game and sent shockwaves through the stadium. Despite being conscious, Ndicka appeared to be in considerable pain, clutching his chest as the medical team rushed to his aid.

"Following the on-field medical emergency involving Evan Ndicka, the match between Udinese and Roma has been suspended," announced Roma on social media platform X. "The player is conscious and has been taken to hospital for further checks."

AS Roma defender Evan Ndicka || Getty Images
AS Roma defender Evan Ndicka || Getty Images

Amidst the chaos, Ndicka was promptly attended to by medical personnel and carried off the pitch on a stretcher. Despite the distressing situation, Ndicka managed to signal reassurance to worried onlookers with a thumbs-up gesture, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty.

"He will remain in the hospital for further observations. Forza Evan!" expressed AS Roma on X, showcasing solidarity with their player.

Match Abandoned After Collapse

In light of the medical emergency involving Ndicka, the match between Udinese and Roma was suspended. With the players visibly shaken by the turn of events, the decision to abandon the game was made to prioritise the health and well-being of all individuals involved.

var widgetLoaderConfig = widgetLoaderConfig || { CDN_URL: 'https://widgets.sportal365.com', APP_LINK: 'desktop', API_URL: 'https://africa.football.api.sportal365.com/', API_KEY: '2f852b4de2f3a5cf3188e74b33087bb4:2c18422f8e826a7d11aeed52edb2449e', LANG: 'en', REQUEST_INTERVAL: 30, ENABLE_BET_SLIP: false, AUTHOR: false, THEME: "light", TOURNAMENT_ORDER: "pulse_nigeria", LINK_OPTIONS_V2: { 'player' : { 'url': '/football/player/{playerId}' }, 'team' : { 'url': '/football/{teamId}' }, 'tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}' }, 'match': { 'url' : '/football/match/{matchId}', 'sort': { 'criteria': 'alphabetically', 'direction': 'asc' } }, 'configuration': { 'newWindow': false }, 'standings_tournament': { 'url': '/football/competition/{tournamentId}/standings' } } }; if (!document.querySelector('script[src="https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js"]')) { window.setTimeout(function () { let scriptCss = document.createElement('link'); scriptCss.href = 'https://www.pulsesports.ug/css/sport-widgets.css?v=1668785443'; scriptCss.rel = 'stylesheet'; scriptCss.type = 'text/css'; document.body.appendChild(scriptCss); let scriptTag = document.createElement('script'); scriptTag.src = 'https://widgets.sportal365.com/loader.bundle.min.js'; scriptTag.defer = true; scriptTag.onload = function () { window.setTimeout(function () { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }, 200); }; document.head.appendChild(scriptTag); }, 0); } else { new SMPWidgetsLoader(widgetLoaderConfig); }

Following the incident, reports emerged indicating that tests conducted at the hospital ruled out a heart attack as the cause of Ndicka's collapse. However, the severity of the situation prompted Roma to announce that the 24-year-old defender would remain in the hospital for further evaluation.

A Sign of Relief: Ndicka's Condition

Despite the initial scare, AS Roma provided a glimmer of relief as they updated fans on Ndicka's condition. The club revealed that Ndicka was feeling better and in good spirits, offering a sense of comfort to concerned supporters. However, they emphasised that Ndicka would undergo further observations in the hospital as a precautionary measure.

As Ndicka continues his recovery journey, the football community unites in solidarity, sending messages of support and encouragement to the Ivorian defender. With hopes for a swift and full recovery, fans across the globe rally behind Ndicka, echoing the sentiment: Forza Evan!

Related content