Cheers of celebration turned to screams of disbelief in Cameroon on Thursday as news of midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe's death followed the team's victory in the Confederations Cup semi-final.

Several people collapsed and had to be taken to hospital in the capital while thousands hurried home from bars where they had been watching the game as the streets emptied quickly.

State television said President Paul Biya had sent a message of condolence to the family of Foe, who collapsed 18 minutes from the end of the African champions' 1-0 semi-final victory over Colombia.

"For a moment we were so happy, but then there was crying in the streets, crying in the districts and crying in the towns. Everywhere there was crying," said civil servant Martha Chinda. "We are all in mourning."

It was not clear what had happened to Foe but a FIFA spokesman announced later that his heart stopped after the 28-year-old was taken from the pitch. Medical staff tried for 45 minutes to restart his heart, without success.

For most fans, Foe's death made Sunday's final against France an irrelevance.

"This is just too much of a sacrifice," said Meh Zang, owner of an Internet cafe. 

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