Cheick Tiote plying his trade for Cote d'Ivoire.
Former Côte d'Ivoire and Newcastle United midfielder, Cheick Tiote, died yesterday after collapsing during training with his current team, Beijing Enterprises in China.
The 30-year-old, who won the African Nations Cup in 2015 with his native Côte d'Ivoire, spent seven years in England with Newcastle United before moving to Beijing Enterprise in February.
With the English Premier League attracting millions of followers from across the African continent and with Tiote's exploits with his National side, the footballer was undoubtedly an Africa hero.
Tributes from around the world have flown in from fellow players and fans alike.
Here are some of the tweets in remembrance of Cheick Tiote:
Cheick Tiote....dark day for africa, God knows why, RIP
— adura peter (@_adurapeter) June 5, 2017
Africa, Ivory Coast and Ex-Newcastle player, Cheick Tiote collapse and died during training. He was 30. #RIPTiote pic.twitter.com/NmF2mLklxJ
— AMT (@AMTanimu) June 5, 2017
Africa has lost a son
Ivory Coast has lost a star
RIP cheick Tiote.— Gavin Of Troy (@GavinJr5) June 6, 2017
From Nairobi Kenya, we say RIP Cheick Tiote. One of THE BEST midfielders Africa has ever produced. pic.twitter.com/6KrH2X2wM1
— Frank Wanga™ (@Frank_Wanga) June 5, 2017
RIP Cheick Tiote, Africa and fans across the world will miss u in the field of play #RIPCheickTiote pic.twitter.com/KyomZOzyYe
— ✨La_peters ™✨ (@juliuspeters254) June 5, 2017
Tragic! Cheick Tiote, son of Ivory Coast, Africa and the world gone too soon. Condolences to loved ones and teammates. #RIPCheickTiote ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/tSHCLHta3M
— Ulrich J van Vuuren (@UlrichJvV) June 5, 2017
No words #cheicktiote
— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) June 5, 2017
Football mourns Cheick Tiote. pic.twitter.com/tfOFT5iZrY
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 5, 2017
Always sad 2 lose a member of the football family. RIP Cheick Tiote ✊ pic.twitter.com/mKqqMTrBBP
— Oupa Manyisa (@OupaManyisa20) June 5, 2017
One of the greatest Premier League Goals Ever! ⚽️
Africa has lost A Star!
R.I.P Cheick Tioté pic.twitter.com/EnAzElKCGZ
— Daniel Nyacharo (@Nyach_KE) June 6, 2017