E.K AFRANIE: FOOTBALL'S TREASURED GEM TO MOTHER GHANA

Emmanuel Kwasi Afranie

The late Emmanuel Kwasi Afranie was born on December 24, 1943. An indigene of Bonwire in the Ashanti Region, he carved a niche for himself in the field of football management. Nicknamed Coach-hene, he trained in Germany and Nigeria before delving into the enthralling world of coaching.

In the 1981-1982 season, he succeeded Joseph Ghartey as manager of Hearts and deputized Charles Kumi Gyamfi as Ghana clinched her fourth Nations Cup title.

After a brief stint with Prestea Mine Stars, he handled the Black Stars at the 1984 Nations Cup held in the Ivory Coast where the team suffered a group phase exit.He deputized Otto Martin Pfister as Ghana annexed her first World Cup in juvenile football on August 31, 1991.

Six years later, his technical acumen guided the Black Starlets to the Final on September 21, 1997 where they lost to Brazil. Under his tutelage, Hearts of Oak cruised to victory during the 1997-1998 league season.

Coach-hene as he is affectionately called steered the Black Queens to the African Women's Cup of Nations Final on October 31, 1998 where they lost to hosts Nigeria. The Black Satellites lost to Angola in the CAF Under-20 Nations Cup Final on April 1, 2001 and also ended up as silver medallists following a 0-3 loss to Argentina in the FIFA Under-20 World Cup Final on July 8, 2001.

Having steered Kotoko to win the league in 2005, he later served as Vice Chairman of the GFA Football Development and Technical Committee. Okwahu United, Olympics, New Edubiase United Sporting Mirren where some teams he handled besides Hearts and Kotoko.

He later headed the Technical Directorate at the Youth and Sports Ministry but died on November 9, 2016.