Bordeaux have announced that Nigerian International Samuel Kalu will have to undergo further assessment after the forward collapsed on the pitch during a French Ligue 1 game against Olympique Marseille at the Stade Velodrome on Sunday.
Kalu, 23, fainted and slumped to the ground in the early stages of the match and worried teammates gathered around the stricken Kalu and frantically waved their hands to the bench to summon medical help.
“I was thinking about what happened during the Euro,” said Bordeaux coach Vladimir Petkovic.
Samuel Kalu of Bordeaux collapses during the Ligue 1 match between Marseille and Bordeaux
“With the medical team, we chose to replace him so as not to take any risks. In these cases, football takes a back seat,” Petkovic added.
Last season, Kalu suffered several setbacks both on and off the pitch. He reported late for pre-season, contacted COVID-19 and he was also sidelined for several weeks after he was injured on Super Eagles duty in Austria.
After a few heart-stopping moments, Kalu managed to stand up but was substituted and replaced by Remi Odin. The incident came just two months after Denmark’s Christian Eriksen suffered cardiac arrest in a Euro 2020 match.
“Kalu’s incident gave us chills. It’s always a bit shocking for spectators and players on the pitch,” said Oudin who went on to score in the 2-2 draw.
“With what happened with Eriksen at the Euros, we think about it. Everyone got a little scared. Fortunately, it ended well. According to the doctors, it’s a simple discomfort but he will certainly be undergoing tests on Monday.”
In June 2019, Kalu was hospitalised after suffering from dehydration while training with Nigeria in the Egyptian heat during the Africa Cup of Nations.
