Reports: Former Togo defender Tchangai dies

Published Aug. 9, 2010 5:37 p.m. ET

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Togolese media are reporting that former Togo defender Massamasso Tchangai has died after suffering cardiac arrest following a brief illness.

State television and newspapers Liberte and State Magazine reported that Tchangai died Sunday on his 32nd birthday after being taken to a hospital earlier last week. Details about his illness were not immediately available.

Tchangai helped Togo qualify for the 2006 World Cup and played in the tournament in Germany. The defender signed with Italian club Udinese in 1998 but played just one game before being sent on loan to Slovenian club Gorica.

He also had stints with Dutch club De Graafschap and Italian lower-tier team Benevento Calcio.

Tchangai spent 2009 in China, playing for Shenzhen.