Attuquayefio deserves state burial – Osei Kofi, Foh Amoaning

Two of Ghana’s respected sports personalities have called on the government to organise a fitting state burial for departed football legend Jones Attuquayefio.

Former Black Stars player Rev. Osei Kofi and Accra-based lawyer Moses Foh Amoaning have both argued Attuquayefio’s contributions to the game of football in Ghana must not go unrewarded, adding there was no better time to do that than now.

Both Kofi and Amoaning said there should be no debate on this issue as anything short of that would amount to gross disrespect.

Amoaning, who expressed his displeasure over the way and manner dedicated sports personalities in the country were rejected after years of service, agreed very little enthusiasm has been shown in the past.

Amoaning, who spent time documenting Attuquayefio’s life and times as a player and coach said: “How many of them have lifted the flag of Ghana high than what somebody like Azumah has done. There should be no debate.”

Jones who guided Accra Hearts of Oak to their first ever continental triumph in 2000, passed on today.

This year marked some 14 years after he achieved back to back continental successes with Hearts of Oak. His death comes few days to Hearts’ first leg CAF Confederations Cup match against Esperance in Tunis.

One of the most respected coaches of his time, he guided Hearts to successive domestic and continental triumphs. He also coached Ghana’s junior and senior national football teams.

Jones qualified Benin to its first ever Nation’s Cup appearance.

The former Black Stars player battled a prolonged throat cancer.