Gyan pays tribute to late coach

Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan, has paid tribute to legendary coach Cecil Jones Attuquayefio who passed away on Tuesday.

The former Ghana and Benin coach (on a white cap) died at the age of 70, following a long battle with cancer.

The former international’s demise at the Korle-Bu teaching hospital in Accra has triggered tributes from Ghana’s leading football figures, including captain Gyan.

The Al Ain goal-machine (pictured squatting) took to twitter to express his deepest condolences.

“Sad day…. my great coach and inspirer… he handed me my first chance… Rest in Peace Sir Cecil Jones Attuaquayefio,” he tweeted.

The Ghana FA (GFA) also paid tribute to a man who served as a vice-president of the association in the 1980s and 1990s.

“Attuquayefio’s contribution to football in our country touched the lives of many people not only in Ghana but also in many countries in Africa,” read a statement signed by GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi.

“The GFA is immensely hurt by the loss of such a talented footballer, coach and administrator who shaped the lives and careers of many Ghanaian footballers.”

Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah also paid his tribute.

“One of the Brains in Ghana Football left us. Rest in Peace Sir Cecil Jones Attuquayefio. Yes Sir. #legend”

As a player, he won the Nations Cup with the Black Stars in 1965 but it was during an illustrious coaching career that he distinguished himself.

Attuquayefio guided Accra Hearts of Oak to their first continental title in 2000, beating Tunisia’s Esperance in the final, before then beating Zamalek of Egypt to the CAF Super Cup.

He returned to guide Hearts to their first ever CAF Confederation Cup title in 2005, beating Asante Kotoko in what was the first continental final between two clubs from the same country.

Attuquayefio was an assistant coach as Ghana won Africa’s first Olympic medal in 1992 when the Black Meteors took bronze. He also coached the Black Starlets to third place in the 1999 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

His time with Ghana’s Black Stars was less successful after they failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup under his watch.

He enjoyed success in the Republic of Benin, though, leading the Squirrels to their first Nations Cup in 2004.

Attuquayefio was named African coach of the year in 2000.