Accra, Oct. 1, GNA – Kwesi Nyantakyi, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) broke down in tears at the final funeral rites of Alhaji Ibrahim Sly Tetteh on Saturday at the Carl Reindorf Park, Dansoman.

An emotion-filled Nyantakyi wept uncontrollably as he read out his tribute in memory of the President of Liberty Professionals.

In the company of a delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the West Africa Football Union (WAFU), the GFA President broke down when he recounted the contribution of Alhaji Sly Tetteh to his election unto the CAF Executive Committee.

Dressed in a smock, Nyantakyi paused for almost a minute before being urged on by his colleagues to complete his tribute.

“Alhaji Sly Tetteh was honest and generous. The best tribute we can give him is to live by his virtues and principles during his life,” Nyantakyi concluded in a tear-soaked voice.

Earlier, Felix Ansong, Chairman of Liberty Professional and one of the closest friends of Sly Tetteh was forced to cut short the welcome address as he also wept non-stop.

Ansong, who worked closely with Tetteh towards the meteoric rise of Liberty Professionals, proposed that the Dansoman Sports Stadium be named in his honour, whilst the football pitch remains Carl Reindorf Park.

The ceremony was attended by persons from all walks of life who paid their final rites to Sly Tetteh, who passed away on September 3 at a hospital in Cape Coast.

Tributes poured in from all angles in honour of the man credited with the rise to fame of Ghanaian footballers including Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Asamoah Gyan, John Paintsil, Kwadwo Asamoah, Rabiu Mohammed, Peter Ofori Quaye and Felix Aboagye.

General Seyi Memene, Honorary Vice President of CAF led the delegation from the African football family.

Also present was Seedy Kinteh – President of the Gambian Football Association, Komla Assogbavi – Vice President of Togo Football Federation, Theodore Sawadogo – President of Burkina Faso Football Federation, Michael Umeh Okeke – Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ali Cisse – Executive member of Sierra Leone Football Association and Aka Malan – Secretary General of WAFU.

Black Stars midfielder, Derek Boateng, also an in-law of Alhaji Sly Tetteh was also present as well as Executive Committee members of the GFA, members of the Ghana Coaches Association, retired footballers, Sekondi Hasaacas Football Club, and the media amongst others.

Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu, the National Chief Imam prayed for Allah’s guidance for the departed soul and the bereaved family.

Alhaji Sly Tetteh, was buried on September 4 at the Osu cemetery, Accra