Burundi international Papy Faty has tragically died three months before his country’s Africa Cup of Nations  debut.

Papy Faty had recently returned to the national set-up after a three-year absence and was hoping to be in their first ever finals squad in Egypt this summer.

However, three months after being warned by doctors over a long-standing heart condition, Faty passed away on Thursday afternoon after collapsing while playing for club side Malanti Chiefs in Swaziland on Thursday afternoon.

Faty collapsed on the field after just 15 minutes before being rushed to hospital where he was declared dead.

Faty was advised by doctors in January to stop playing due to a heart condition but rejected advice and a heart operation and was let go by his club at the time.

He duly arrived at Malanti, scoring twice in seven games and earning a call up to the national side; he ws an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw with Gabon that booked their AFCON finals spot.

Priot to that fixture, he told KickOff.com that his heart issues were behind him.

“I’m not sick of that [heart] condition anymore.

“And because it’s the last game and we need one point to qualify so they need experienced players and players that have been there before to fight for the nation.

“That’s why the federation and coach called me and asked about my situation. I told them how it is.”

Burundi, who count amongst their number Stoke City’s Saido Berahino and Hibernian’s Gael Bigirimana, recently secured a finals spot at this summer’s Africa Cup of Nations – which features 24 teams rather than 16 for the first time.

They will face Nigeria, Guinea and Madagascar in Group B.