The Ghana Football Association paid tribute to former Ghana forward Kwasi Owusu who died on Monday in Sunyani.
Owusu died at the age of 72, with his cause of death not disclosed.
One of the most lethal forwards in the history of Ghana football, Owusu was nicknamed ‘Powerhouse’. He captained the Black Stars at the 1970 Africa Cup of Nations, as Ghana lost 1-0 to host Sudan in the final, scoring three goals during the tournament.
He is remembered for scoring nine goals in the 15-1 aggregate win over Niger in the qualifiers.
He also featured at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. Owusu was Ghana’s top scorer at the international level with 36 goals, a record which was later broken by Asamoah Gyan.
At club level, he featured for Tano Bofoakwa, currently in the second-tier of Ghana football, where he remains a legend.
Owusu was the second former Ghana player to die in as many days after Opoku Afriyie died on Sunday.
The legendary striker died after a short illness. He was 65.
“I extend my sincere sympathies to the Ghanaian football family following the demise of Opoku Afriyie, also a legend in African football circles,” said Caf president Ahmad Ahmad.
“Our thoughts are with you and the bereaved family during this difficult period.
Afriyie won the Africa Cup of Nations twice, in 1978 and 1982. However, he is famous for scoring both goals in the final against Uganda in 1978 in Accra, as Ghana won a then historic third title.
Nicknamed ‘Bayie’, meaning wizard in his native Akan language, he was the leading marksman of his boyhood club, Asante Kotoko, during his peak. He was crowned top scorer in the Ghanaian top-flight in 1979 and 1981.
After retirement, he served as team manager of Asante Kotoko, and Welfare Officer of the Ghana senior national team for a number of years.
In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo
You must be logged in to post a comment Login