Ex-Gabon footballer, Moise Brou Apanga passed away on Wednesday, April 26 from a suspected heart attack.
According to Apanga died in training with his Gabonese Club FC 105 Libreville when he collapsed and died.
Gabon's football association's tweeted; "The country has lost a brave son who has always given his best for the Gabonese flag,"
"All our condolences to his family and team-mates."
The 35-year-old is well remembered by his fans after turning out for his nation at the 2010 and 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) competitions.
Although born in Ivory Coast, Brou Apanga was persuaded to play for Gabon by then coach Alain Giresse.
The deadlocked defender, started his career at FC Politehnica Timisoara in Romania before played for the likes of Brest in France and Italian clubs Perugia and Brescia.
Gabon midfielder Didier Ndong, who also plays for Sunderland, took to social media to pay tribute to Brou Apanga.
"I take this moment to tell you that I'll be thinking about you every minute of this match – rest in peace big brother," Ndong wrote.
-411africa.com