AFL tragedy: Wydad star passes away ahead of Downs decider

Tragedy has struck the Wydad Athletic Club camp ahead of their African Football League final against Mamelodi Sundowns after it was confirmed that one of their players has passed away following a recent car crash.

Having joined the Moroccan giants from Ligue 1 side Angers during the off-season, Oussama Falouh was yet to make an official appearance for the Red Castle.

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Now, sadly, he will never get to don record Botola Pro champions' kit after the left-back failed to recover from injuries he sustained in a car accident on 11 October, and passed away on Thursday night.

"Ossama Falouh is in God's memory… With great sadness, the Wydad Athletic Club management office announced the death of the respected player, Oussama Falouh," an official statement from the club, translated from Arabic to English, read.

"In this dark hour, Mr. Saïd Naciri, on behalf of himself and all the members of his office, the players, the technical and administrative teams, and all the employees, extends his most sincere and deepest condolences regrets to the family of the deceased, to his loved ones, as well as to all components of the Wydad Athletic Club.

"He prays to Allah Almighty to cover the deceased with His vast mercy, to welcome him into His vast paradise. To Allah we belong and to Him we return."

According to Kesh24, the 24-year-old was driving when he collided with a large truck and, as a result, suffered internal bleeding, a broken neck and chest, as well as bleeding in the head, and had been in a coma until Thursday.

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It remains to be seen whether or not the first leg of the final between Wydad and Sundowns will go ahead as it was scheduled to take place on Sunday, 5 November, but so far the tournament organisers have only released a statement sending their deepest condolences to Wydad and Falouh's loved ones.

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