Ghana football is in mourning following the passing of Wilberforce Mfum, who is one of the country’s most iconic strikers, at the age of 88.
The former Asante Kotoko and Black Stars forward died after a short illness, with his death confirmed on Sunday, 11 May 2025.
He made history in the 1963 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring Ghana’s first-ever goal at the tournament and later bagging a brace in the final to deliver the nation’s maiden AFCON title.
Mfum netted an impressive 20 goals in 26 appearances for the national team and featured at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Legacy
His club career began with Kumasi giants Asante Kotoko, where his explosive performances earned him a move abroad in the late 1960s.
He played for the Baltimore Bays in the National Professional Soccer League before joining Ukrainian SC and later the Ukrainian Nationals in the American Soccer League.
In 1971, Mfum became one of the first African players to feature in the North American Soccer League, turning out for the New York Cosmos.
He finished as joint top scorer in the ASL in 1970, cementing his reputation as a trailblazer for African footballers in the United States.
