Kotoko mourn Jerry

The Ghanaian football community was hit on Monday with the sad news of the death of Kumasi Asante Kotoko management member, Jerry Asare, who passed at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi after a short illness.

The news of Asare’s death came as a double blow as the nation was coming to terms with the tragic death of young referee Kwame Andoh Kyei last Friday.

One of the nation’s promising assistant referees, 21-year-old Kyei reportedly died  after being rushed to hospital following injuries he suffered after he was beaten up during the division two match between Gold Stars and Naa Joe United in Bordie last week Sunday.

However, the nation was spared another grief after boxing icon Barimah Azumah Nelson escaped death after a potentially fatal accident on the Kaneshie-Mallam road last Saturday night.

Just as the football fraternity was united in condemning the assault unleashed on referee Kyei which had been linked to his death, Asare’s passing came as another shock as he was full of life until he was hospitalised to treat pains in his left arm.

Nicknamed ‘Show Show’ for his flamboyance and hands-on approach to issues, Asare was until his death one of the most active and influential officials of the Porcupine Warriors, having served in different capacities such as the club’s Accra Representative, management member, spokesperson, Operations Director and head of African Cup Committee under different administrations. He was fondly remembered for instigating the infamous ‘Yembo biom’ (We won’t play again) walkout, after storming the pitch during a GHALCA Top 4 match involving Kotoko and Heart of Lions in 2004 and ordering his players off the pitch in protest against perceived bias officiating.

The late Asare, 49, was sanctioned by the Ghana Football Association. 

Meanwhile, Azumah has been discharged and is convalescing at home after last Saturday’s incident at Odorkor in which he suffered a gash on his forehead after a vehicle ran into the boxing legend’s Ford SUV.

The two-time world champion was rushed to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital where he had his laceration stitched and discharged the following day.

His father-in-law and revered boxing promoter, Yoofi Boham, confirmed to the Graphic Sports yesterday that Azumah was “out of danger and doing well”.