Brother about the death of ex-FCZ star Raphael Dwamena: ‘I had to see my brother die on my mobile’

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Samuel Dwamena (20) cycles across the sandy area in front of the Adjringrandor Astoturf, a football field in the northeast of the Ghanaian capital Accra. He smiles and greets in a friendly but reserved manner. Dwamena is wearing a pair of finches, jeans, a cap and a shirt from FC Bayern Munich, one of his two favorite clubs. He is also passionate about Chelsea. He would have loved to see his brother play for the Blues one day.

But nothing comes of it. His brother collapsed during a football match in Albania in mid-November and died a short time later in an ambulance. The brother was Raphael Dwamena (†28). Former FCZ goalgetter, eight-time Ghanaian national player, a once-celebrated star – with a tragic life and career.

The world has looked different for Samuel since mid-November. “I had to watch my brother die on my mobile phone,” he says in the stands next to the artificial grass field where the funeral service for Raphael Dwamena took place a month earlier. Samuel talks about his brother, who is actually his half-brother. Samuel and Raphael have the same mother, but not the same father. For the 20-year-old, the name makes no difference, his sadness remains the same. “You can’t imagine it, you don’t want it either,” he says. His voice softens, it breaks. A tear rolls down his cheek, he buries his face in his hands, needing a break.

The dream to continue Raphael’s legacy

He reveals that he is doing well today, but only considering the circumstances. Death was simply God’s plan, he and his family must now accept that, says Samuel, who, like his brother, is a strict believer. He hopes God has a plan for him too. He hopes for a great career in Europe. “It was my big dream to one day be on the field with Raphael and give him an assist,” he reveals with a smile.

Although at the age of twenty he is already older than many other talents in the country, he wants to make the leap to Europe. Under any circumstances: “I have already thought about changing my age. A lot of people do that.” In many African countries there are no birth certificates or official registrations – or the data is lost. This gives athletes the opportunity to adjust their age so that it benefits their career. The fact that this could not only be banned, but also morally reprehensible: “Look. I believe in God and God says we should always be honest. But sometimes in life you just have to take your chances.”

According to Samuel, Raphael himself never thought much about this idea. He preferred to motivate his little brother to do more on the field and even pay him a personal trainer to do so. Because Samuel currently has no club and remains fit privately. “Raphael wanted to place me here with a team from the third division. But nothing came of it.” Now Samuel, who currently lives with his parents and works as a seamstress, hopes that things will work out after all – and that perhaps one of Raphael’s old clubs will approach him.

‘God will judge one day’

Due to family circumstances, the Dwamena brothers did not meet until later in life. “We met once or twice before he went to Europe.” After he left, the relationship became more intimate: “Every time he was in Ghana, he called me. We often spent time together, going out to eat or just talking,” says Samuel.

Raphael Dwamena cared for his family in West Africa, sending money every month for clothing, food and other necessities. «Raphael even wanted us to build a small house here. He wanted to start planning in December.” Samuel doesn’t know what happens to Raphael’s money he earned during his career. It will probably remain with his widow, who lives in Ghana but has had no contact with the family since Raphael’s death. “It doesn’t make me angry, it makes me sad. I’m a Christian, I don’t feel hate. God will judge one day. She knows what she did.”

Source : Blick