Retired Black Stars striker Wilberforce Mfum has died.
The retired goal poacher died at 88 after a short illness.
Mfum, who stood at 5.8ft tall, scored Ghana’s first goal at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scoring in the 1-1 draw against Tunisia in the opening game at the 1963 AFCON, eventually won by the Black Stars.
He also helped Ghana to Silver in the 1968 AFCON, placing second behind legendary Ivorian goal scorer Laurent Pokou in the race for the Golden Boot.
Mfum, nicknamed The Bulldozer, played for Asante Kotoko between 1962 and 1967.
He later joined Baltimore Boys in the United States’ National Professional Soccer League.
In 1969, he joined Ukrainian SC of the German American Soccer League before playing for the Ukrainian Nationals of the American Soccer League in 1970. That season, he shared the ASL scoring title with Juan Paletta.
In 1971, he signed with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League.
Myth had it that Mfum had his boots packed with gunpowder to the extent that his goal against Tunisia at the Accra Sports Stadium tore the net, leaving spectators and officials wondering whether the ball entered the goal.
