Ghana FA pay glowing tributes to two legendary ex-national coaches

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Friday paid tribute to two legendary national team coaches who have passed on.

Fred Osam Duodu and Emmanuel Akwasi Afranie died some few months ago and will be buried in their hometowns on Saturday.

In a tribute issued in Accra, the GFA said the immense contributions and deliberations of Afranie, who was the Vice-Chairman of the association's Technical and Development Committee until his demise, will always be remembered.

GFA said Afranie achieved so much for Ghana not only winning laurels but identifying and nurturing talented Ghanaian players of both genders.

"Your legacies will forever be remembered and be assured that the younger generation you nurtured will leave by your shining examples and continue to work hard to emulate your good work," the GFA said.

On Duodu, who coached Ghana to win the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the GFA said he distinguished himself as a coach and an astute administrator for Ghana and Africa at large working as a coach instructor and also a consultant of CAF because of his in-depth knowledge of football.

Duodu's knowledge was recognized by other African countries for the restructuring of football, especially in The Gambia, where he was responsible for qualifying it to a historic African U-17 championship in 2002 and automatically qualifying for the World Cup later the same year.

"He will be remembered for his contribution in formulation of policies for the development of football," the GFA said. Endit