AZOFFA donates to three Former Footballers

The Adoagyiri- Zongo Former Footballers Association ( AZOFFA) has made donations of an undisclosed amount of money and items worth hundreds of Ghana Cedis to three distinguished retired footballers at Nsawam in the Eastern  Region of  Ghana.

The Items donated included tins of Milo, Milk, Sugar, Loaves of Bread, Packs of Mineral Water Soft Drinks, and Toiletries.

The three retired footballers, Namely George Kaakoye, Osmanu Ben, and Kwesi Effah Anas were household names during their playing days in the  80s and early 90s.

They thrilled football enthusiast in the country with their skills and versatility on the field of play.

Both George Kaakoye and Osman Ben played for GhanaCan and  GIHOC Stars, the then Division One Clubs (now Premier League) based at Nsawam in the  Eastern Region.

George Kaakoye( in Chair) with executives of AZOFFA.

George Kaakoye, a central defender, later joined the Accra Great  Olympics and played for the club for four years before retiring to concentrate on his education. His playing generation included the likes of Kuuku Dadzie, Emmanuel Quashie, Opoku Nti, Mohammed Polo,Ben Kayide, and Joe Mensah among other renowned footballers.

Osmanu Ben was also a stalwart defender in his playing days who played alongside Abdul Karim Zito, the current Head Coach of the  National U- 17 Team.

Osmanu Ben (Middle) was grateful to AZOFFA for the kind gesture.

He played for teams including GIHOC Stars, Red Lions of Nsawam-Zongo, Great Mohammedans, and the Eastern Regional Team among other lower-tier clubs.

Kwesi Effah Anas was a nimble-footed midfielder who played for the  National U-20 Team in 1985.

He also played for the Accra  Great Olympics, Secondi Hassacas,  Ebuasua Dwarfs  Kumapim Stars, Akwatia Diamond Stars, and  Degor Stars. His playing peers included the  Maestro Abedi Ayew Pele, Olabode Williams, Charles Bortey, Mohammed Ansong, Ansuade, Isaac Paha, Awule Quaye Senior, and  Ben Kayide.

Presenting the items to the beneficiaries recently, Acting  Chairman of AZOFFA, Mr  Kwame Adjewoda who is also the  Regional Development Coach, Eastern Region emphasized the need for the younger generation to get closer to the older ones to tap into their expertise.

He pledged that the  AZOFFA would do  all  within its power to support ex-footballers within  the Nsawan environs both in kind and in cash

Mr Adjewoda mentioned that during the inception of  AZOFFA  a year ago, a similar donation was made to Jefter Branson, alias Polo a retired footballer who played for Nsawam Tough Guys, King Faisal youth side, and Suhum Freedom Stars.

Receiving the items, the trio expressed gratitude to AZOFFA for the kind gesture and prayed that the Association would grow from strength to strength. They also pledged to offer wise counsel to the  Association when needed.  

Kwesi Effah Anas( left) prayed for AZOFFA to grow from strength to strength.

Mr Henry Agyei, Acting  Spokesperson for AZOFFA  told Public Agenda that the donations formed part of the association’s first anniversary celebration which would be followed by a series of activities in the coming weeks.

Mr. Agyei said the Association was formed with the vision to support Ex-footballers within the  Nsawam area both in kind and in cash, cater for the welfare of its members, and also ensure that the younger generation of footballers in AZOFFA’s operational area is given the necessary support to attain higher heights.

By: Mohammed Suleman Baaley/ Publicagenda.news