Ghana’s legendary Coach Afranie laid to rest

The mortal remains of the late Emmanuel Kwasi Afranie, one of Ghana’s all-time most successful soccer coaches, was on Saturday interred at the Bonwire-Amape cemetery in the Ashanti Region.

The late Afranie, 73, affectionately called ‘Coach-hene (The Coaches’ Coach)’, for his exploits in his chosen career, died recently in a motor accident as he was being transported to Kumasi to seek further medical treatment, after an operation. 

The final funeral rites, held at the Heroes Park of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, saw a cross-section of eminent coaches and football administrators, retired and active international players joining mourners to pay their last respect to the deceased.  

Certified in 1978, the legendary technical instructor received his soccer credentials from the University of Leipzig in Germany, having been awarded a scholarship by the German government.

He would go on to become the only technical instructor to have had the opportunity to handle all levels and categories of the Ghana national football teams. 

In 2008, the late Coach Afranie was awarded with the Grand National Medal by ex-President John Agyekum Kufour, having successfully guided Ghana to four different levels of world championship.

The final funeral rites saw the legendary coach receiving lots of tributes from the mourners for his instrumentality in changing the face of Ghana football.

They included; the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), Ghana Football Coaches Association, as well as  Ministry of Youth and Sports.  

Source: GNA