Faty suspected witchcraft ahead of death – report

Papy Faty of during his Bidvest Wits days

Thursday May 02, 2019. 15:15

Burundian footballer Papy Faty reportedly believed he had been bewitched ahead of his tragic death in Eswatini (Swaziland) last week.

Faty collapsed in a club match between his team Malanti Chiefs and Green Mamba last Thursday and was rushed to hospital, where he wad declared dead on arrival.

The Burundi international midfielder had earlier been medically advised to retire due to a heart problem which was uncovered during his time South African club Bidvest Wits.

However, Faty decided against hanging up his boots and signed a contract with Chiefs in January this year.

Kick-Off report that Patrick Bizimana, a childhood friend of Faty who was in Mbabane recently to receive the body, said the player suspected witchcraft against him after scans did not show any heart condition when he went for a second opinion.

"I remember when they told him first, he was not sure and wanted confirmation," Bizimana told the Swazi Observer.

"We went back to a hospital in Garankuwa [George Mokhari Hospital] a year after his Wits contract was terminated where the doctor said she could not find anything wrong with him. This led us to have suspicions of witchcraft, which we can't confirm."

Faty is expected to be buried in Burundi this week.