Black Stars head coach, Chris Hughton, has disclosed that he was the manager of the Premier League side Brighton when they pursued the late Ghanaian international, Raphael Dwamena.
Raphael Dwamena, who tragically passed away on Saturday, November 11, during a football match in Albania, was on the brink of joining Brighton in 2017 in the Premier League. Unfortunately, his deal was canceled due to heart conditions.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the player’s demise, Coach Chris Hughton acknowledged the late Ghanaian striker as someone he knew while he was alive.
Hughton mentioned that Raphael Dwamena would have been the first Ghanaian to play for Brighton if not for the health condition that deprived him of that opportunity.
“In regards to the thoughts, he will be in the thoughts of all of us, and on a personal note, I knew him. I was the manager of Brighton in 2017 when we tried to sign him. He was someone I met, I was aware of his circumstances,” Hughton stated at the press conference ahead of Ghana’s game against Madagascar.
He further added, “We had just got promotion to the Premier League, so this would have been a wonderful opportunity for him. He would have been the first Ghanaian to play for Brighton in my squad.”
According to Hughton, the entire Black Stars team “shall all remember him in whichever way. He will be in our prayers” for their 2026 World Cup qualifying matches.
