Wilberfoce Mfum and 3 Ghanaian Football Figures Who Have Died in 2025 So Far
- Four prominent Ghanaian football personalities have sadly passed away in the first half of 2025
- Among the departed heroes is a well-known figure from Ghana football powerhouse Asante Kotoko
- Two legendary sports journalists, who played a pivotal role in shaping the country's football landscape with their voices, are also being honoured
Ghana’s football community has faced deep sorrow in 2025, losing everything from legendary Black Stars players to passionate supporters and devoted leaders. This has truly been a year of collective grief.
YEN.com.gh takes a moment to pay tribute to five remarkable individuals who have left us just six months into the year.
Source: Twitter
Wilberforce Kwadwo Mfum (1936–2025)
Wilberforce Mfum, born on August 28, 1936, was a prominent goal-scorer and one of Ghana’s greatest football talents.
A key player in Ghana's 1963 Africa Cup of Nations victory, Mfum earned a lasting place in the country's football history, scoring 20 goals in 26 appearances for the Black Stars, according to Wikipedia.
He also made his mark internationally, playing in the American Soccer League and at the Olympics. Mfum, a former Asante Kotoko attacker, passed away on May 11, 2025, at the age of 88. His legacy was honoured with a moment of silence at FIFA's 75th Congress.
Mfum's passing left many, including former Bank of New York vice-president Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko, reflecting on the joy and inspiration Mfum brought to the game.
Jonathan Abbey Pobee
Jonathan Abbey Pobee, an influential football administrator, passed away on June 5, 2025. As the founder and long-time president of Neoplan Stars FC, Pobee guided the club into the Premier League and advocated for grassroots football.
Despite challenges, including the team’s expulsion in 1984, he continued to support the development of local talent.
His work extended to his role as a respected pundit on Kumasi-based Angel FM, where his integrity and outspokenness earned him admiration in Ghana’s football circles.
Ackah Anthony
Ackah Anthony, a prominent figure in sports journalism and the sixth president of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), passed away on June 21, 2025.
He was instrumental in shaping SWAG and Ghana's sports media during his tenure, leading the association through significant changes and progress.
The Ghana Football Association expressed their sorrow, praising his leadership and his contributions to the country's football development.
Ebo Quansah
Ebo Quansah, the fifth president of SWAG, also passed away on June 26, 2025, just days after Ackah Anthony. With over 50 years in Ghanaian sports journalism, Quansah mentored generations of journalists and significantly influenced the country’s sports narrative.
His leadership and dedication to excellence in reporting left a lasting legacy in the Ghanaian media landscape.
The first half of 2025 has been a difficult period for Ghana's football world, marked by the loss of these extraordinary figures who helped shape the country's football history, both on and off the pitch.
Six football stars who died in 2025
YEN.com.gh previously published a list of six prominent international football stars, including retired athletes, who tragically passed away in 2025.
Among those featured was the heartbreaking loss of Liverpool and Premier League star Diogo Jota, who died in a fatal car accident on Thursday, July 3, along with his brother, Andre Silva.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
