Opoku Afriyie
Former Asante Kotoko star, Opoku Afriyie has died at the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi today. He was 75.
Nicknamed Beyie, ’Wizard’ for his scoring prowess, he was very instrumental during the Yaw Bawuah led administration.
His exceptional striking abilities earned him a national team call-up where he distinguished himself as one of the best in the country and on the continent.
His sensational transfer to arch rivals Accra Hearts of Oak in the late 80s, where he earned the nickname Nii Opoku stoked controversy among the two opposing sides.
After retiring from active football, he rose to become the Team Manager of the Black Stars in most part of the Kwesi Nyantakyi administration.
Details of his death remain sketchy.
Bayie was a member of the Black Stars squad that won the 1978 African Cup of Nations making Ghana the first team to win it on the third time.
He hit the back of the net two times in the final of the ’78 tournament.
Two years on when Libya hosted the biennial championship, he featured prominently but Ghana failed to defend the title.