What should have been a routine journey home turned into horror. Ghanaian football is in mourning after 20-year-old winger Dominic Frimpong was killed when armed men opened fire on a team bus carrying Berekum Chelsea players and staff.
The attack happened on Sunday as the team returned from a Ghana Premier League match against Samartex in Samreboi. It was a long journey back to Berekum, one that ended in chaos when masked men blocked the road and began shooting.
“Masked men wielding guns and assault rifles started shooting at our bus as the driver tried to reverse,” the club said in a statement. Panic spread quickly as players and officials abandoned the bus and fled into nearby bushes for cover.
Frimpong was hit during the attack. He was rushed for medical treatment but later died from his injuries, leaving teammates and the wider football community in shock. Police have since launched a manhunt, deploying additional personnel to track down the six suspects believed to be involved.
The Ghana Football Association expressed its grief in a heartfelt statement. “This tragic incident is not only a huge loss to Berekum Chelsea but also to Ghana football as a whole,” it said. “Dominic was a promising young talent whose dedication and passion for the game embodied the spirit of our league.”
Frimpong’s journey had only just begun. On loan from Aduana FC since January, he had already made 13 appearances and scored twice. His energy on the wing and willingness to learn marked him out as a player with a future.
This tragedy has once again exposed a deeper concern within Ghanaian football. Travel for league matches has become a growing risk, with several clubs in recent years reporting similar attacks. Teams like Legon Cities and others have faced armed robberies on the same roads, though none with such devastating consequences.
Beyond the grief lies an urgent question about responsibility. The Ghana Premier League has pledged its “unwavering backing” for Berekum Chelsea and called for stronger security measures. The GFA has also promised to review travel protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.
For now, though, football feels secondary. A young life has been lost, and a dressing room has been left grieving. The game will go on, but it will do so with a painful reminder that some battles are far bigger than what happens on the pitch.
