Andik Vermansah’s condolences to Ahmad Afi, a young talent who wants to defend the national team and Persebaya

KOMPAS.com – Bhayangkara FC footballer Andik Vermansah mourns the loss of Ahmad Faruq Idhom Afi.

Ahmad Faruq Idhom Afi, who was a young Indonesian footballer, died at Dr Soewandhie Hospital Surabaya, Wednesday (9/2/2022) at 08.00 WIB.

Ahmad Afi breathed his last after struggling for 1.5 years against a blood clot in the brain.

Afi leaves without ever being able to meet his idol, Andik Vermansah. He also could not fulfill his dream to join Persebaya Surabaya and the Indonesian national team.

Also read: In memory of Ahmad Afi, the former U16 national team player who died of a blood clot

Andik, who is currently defending Bhayangkara FC, said Afi’s brother sent him a private message via Instagram.

He received the message when he was in Bali to carry out the 2021-2022 Liga 1 title.

He was told that Afi really idolized him and wanted to meet Andik. The 30-year-old player also plans to visit Afi when he returns to Surabaya.

However, God had other plans. Andik Vermansah could not hide her sadness and loss.

“I was DMed by his brother if Afi wanted to meet him. He fan he said,” Andik told Kompas.com, Thursday (10/2/2022).

“The plan is to have a holiday or just right in Surabaya I want to visit him. His brother told me when I was in Bali,” said Andik.

“Continue to get news again Afi is gone. It feels sad even though Afi is not my family,” said Andik Vermansah.

Before getting sick, Ahmad Afi had received a call to participate in the selection of the U-16 Indonesian national team.

Ahmad Afi passed in the first stage, but could not take part in the second phase selection because he was sick.

“Before Afi was sick, he got a call-up to the U16 national team. Afi’s first selection passed, but the second selection could not attend because of illness,” said Afi’s father, Abdurrohman.

Abdurrohman said Afi slipped in front of the bathroom and was unconscious. The impact of the incident was that Afi had convulsions when he wanted to eat and drink.

When he was taken to the Mitra Keluarga Hospital in Surabaya, Afi was known to be able to speak for up to five days after slipping.

However, after that Afi could not communicate anymore. The family also brought Afi to the RSAL Surabaya. Through the examination there, it was discovered that Afi had a blood clot in his brain.

All types of treatment, from medical to alternative, are taken by the family in the hope that Afi can recover and achieve his dream of becoming a footballer.

Also read: Former U16 National Team Player Chronic Pain After Falling, Diagnosed with Brain Blockage

“I hope Afi can recover, can play football again. He really wants to play at Persebaya, he also wants to play with the national team and go abroad,” said his father.

The struggle of the family and Afi was also known by the Surabaya City Government (Pemkot).

The head of the Surabaya Family Empowerment and Welfare Team (TP PKK), Rini Indriyani Eri Cahyadi, came directly to Afi’s house with an ambulance, which then took Afi for a health check at Soewandhie Hospital.

However, after being treated at Soewandhie Hospital, God had other plans. Ahmad Afi breathed his last on Wednesday (9/2/2022) at 08.00 WIB.

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