The year 2023 was a challenging year for the sports fraternity and the nation, Ghana as a whole as it bid a painful farewell to some celebrated sports personalities.
The nation mourned the loss of some current and ex-footballers as well as sports enthusiasts, leaving the fans devastated.
As we begin the new year 2024, TGR Sports chronicles these sports personalities who lost their lives in 2023:
Christian Atsu
Ghanaian footballer, Christian Atsu, was confirmed dead on February 18, 2023.
He tragically passed away after his lifeless body was pulled out of the rubble in the wake of the earthquake in Turkey.
This followed days of intense search by authorities after the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria in mid-February.
The ex-Chelsea and Newcastle United winger, who is survived by a wife and three children, was laid to rest on Friday, March 17, 2022, in his hometown in Ada.
Raphael Dwamena
Raphael Dwamena sadly passed away at the age of 28 while featuring in a game between FK Egnatia and Partizani on November 11, 2023.
The game had to be paused in the middle of the first half when Dwamena collapsed on the field. He had a history of heart problems and had a cardiac arrest.
His teammates quickly called for the medics to attend to him, but they were unable to successfully resuscitate the former Red Bull Salzburg forward.
The match was eventually called off.
Ernest Papa Arko
Former Asante Kotoko captain, Ernest Papa Arko, passed away on November 26 after a brief illness.
Papa Arko was a star player for the Porcupine Warriors and captained the club to glory in its last African Clubs Champions Cup, now known as the CAF Champions League, in 1983.
He also represented the Black Stars in two AFCON editions.
Robert Eshun
Another death that hit the Ghanaian football community was the passing of former Black Stars player Robert Eshun, who died in London at the age of 48.
Eshun reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest while driving himself to work. He was a fan favorite during his time with Ghana Premier League side Asante Kotoko between the late 1980s and early 1990s.
He is fondly remembered for his decisive goal in the final of the FA Cup in 1990, in which the Porcupine Warriors recorded a 4-2 win over rivals Hearts of Oak.
He later moved abroad and had stints with clubs in Belgium, Turkey, and Malaysia before hanging up his boots in 2003.
Joe Debrah
Asante Kotoko legend, Joe Debrah, passed on in October 2023 with the cause of his death unknown.
His demise was announced by the former Black Stars defender Anthony Baffoe in a post on X on October 27, 2023, stating that “we belong to Allah to him we shall return”.
Debrah, who died at 52, lined up for Kotoko for eight years and also had a short stint with the Ivorian side Africa Sports.
Thomas Quaye
Thomas Quaye with former Ghana president JJ Rawlings
Another ex-Ghanaian footballer who passed away in 2023 is Thomas Quaye. He died at the 37 Military Hospital battling a cerebrovascular accident.
The former defender lined up for Ghana Premier League giants Hearts of Oak and won the league with them in the 1989/90 season.
He also took up a role in coaching after retiring and managed lower-tier sides like Universal FC, the Five Star FC, Subway FC, Third World FC, Fire Rehoboth FC, and Fire Service FC.
Alhaji MND Jawula
Alhaji MND Jawula, the former chairman of the Ghana Football Association died on Saturday, January 21, 2023.
Alhaji Jawula passed in Nashville, United States of America.
Emmanuel Oblitey
Ghanaian football legend, Emmanuel Oblitey, died on March 19, 2023, at the age of 89.
Oblitey passed away on Sunday at the Joy Specialist Medical Clinic.
He was a member of Ghana’s first AFCON-winning squad in 1963, where he played in all three matches.
ET Mensah
Enoch Teye Mensah, a former Minister of Youth and Sports serving in the government of National Democratic Congress (NDC) died aged 77 on the evening of October 1, 2023.
He passed away in South Africa after battling ill health for some time.
Anas Seidu Tonda
The 1978 Africa Cup of Nations winner passed away on July 1, 2023 in his home in Accra, Newtown.
The legendary forward is fondly remembered for being part of the ‘fearsome fivesome’ of Hearts of Oak, who conquered Ghanaian football in the seventies.
Together with Mohammed Polo, Peter Hammond, Mama Acqua and Peter Lamptey, they were unplayable in their hay days.
His outstanding performances earned him a place in the Black Stars squad that won the 1978 AFCON, Ghana’s third title.