Ivorian young defender from AS Roma, Evan Ndicka, sent shivers down the spine of Italy and football enthusiasts last Sunday in Serie A with a health scare. A few days after this cold sweat, the Roman players made a sensational gesture towards the African player. The image is extremely heartwarming.
At 24, Evan Ndicka has become a symbol in Italy. Arriving in Serie A last year from Eintracht Frankfurt, the cornerstone of the Ivory Coast Elephants wasted no time in establishing himself as a starter for the Giallorossi. African champion since February 11th, the defender experienced a harrowing situation last Sunday during the Serie A match between his club and Udinese in the 72nd minute. Indeed, just when everything seemed to be going smoothly, the Ivorian defender collapsed on the pitch, clutching his chest.
Quickly, he was attended to and urgently evacuated to the hospital. While there were fears of a heart attack, which unfortunately is becoming more and more common and often fatal among athletes, Evan Ndicka was spared. After tests, AS Roma announced that their player tested negative for a cardiac condition that could have put his career in jeopardy.
However, the 2023 African champion is not immediately allowed to resume competition as he suffers from thoracic trauma with a left pneumothorax. “First and second level cardiological checks have been performed and have tested negative for a cardiac condition. Based on the latest examinations…, the clinical picture is compatible with thoracic trauma with a minimal left pneumothorax,” the Roman club said in a statement on its official website. While awaiting full recovery and a return to competition, the young Ivorian remains the center of attention. This Thursday, after the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final between Roma and AC Milan, which ended in qualification, the Roman players carried Ndicka in triumph. Invited onto the pitch, Emerse Fae’s cornerstone received warmth from his teammates and the entire stadium, which gave him a lengthy ovation. For a country where the disregard for players of African origin is often criticized, this is a commendable gesture on the part of the Romans.
The European adventure continues for Roma
Under contract with the Giallorossi until June 2028, Evan Ndicka has time to recover quietly and return without pressure to reclaim his place. As a reminder, the Ivorian player has played 27 matches for AS Roma so far, scoring no goals. After the Giallorossi’s qualification for the Europa League semi-finals, the next challenge will be the German champions this season: Bayer Leverkusen.
Undefeated this season, Xabi Alonso’s club will try to get revenge on the Italian club that ended their dream of a title in the Europa League last season at the same stage. Unstoppable this season, the German club will inevitably start with the advantage in the predictions given the incredible stats they have. It will be a duel between Ivorian defenders if Evan Ndicka is allowed to return to competition before this match.
Indeed, facing Roma, there is Odilon Kossounou, who is one of the solid pieces of Bayer Leverkusen’s defense. After winning the AFCON a few months ago, one of the Ivorians will undoubtedly play in the Europa League final to try to win another major trophy. If the balance tips in favor of the Leverkusen player, it will be quite a season since he has already achieved success in the Bundesliga. We will wait and see.
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