2 Boxers, 5 Football Figures: Ghanaian sports personalities who died in 2025

The Ghanaian sporting fraternity lost several personalities in 2025; individuals who made their marks in the nation’s history and cemented their legacies.

Some of the deceased were boxers who tragically lost their lives after suffering major injuries during bouts.

Others were respected football administrators who served sports organisations in the country, as well as one football fan who died through fan attacks and stadium violence.

This GhanaWeb article highlights sports personalities who passed away in 2025.

Wilberforce Mfum

Ghana football mourned the passing of legendary striker, Wilberforce Mfum, who died at the age of 88 after a brief illness on May 11, 2025.

Nicknamed “The Bulldozer,” Mfum netted 20 goals in 26 appearances for Ghana, winning the AFCON title and featuring at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

At club level, he starred for Asante Kotoko before venturing abroad, where he played in the US for clubs such as Baltimore Bays, Ukrainian SC, Ukrainian Nationals, and New York Cosmos.

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Nana Pooley

Francis Yaw Frimpong, better known as Nana Pooley, a fan of Asante Kotoko, died after being stabbed during a match against Nsoatreman FC.

He was killed following a heated argument with an unidentified man during the game, according to a statement from Nsoatreman.

The match in the town of Nsoatre was marred by fan violence, with people throwing objects onto the pitch.

Matters escalated when some spectators stormed the field, attacking players and officials.

The game resumed after a brief halt, with Asante Kotoko ultimately losing 1–0 to Nsoatreman.

Jonathan Abbey Pobee

Ghana football was again saddened by the loss of one of its most passionate and outspoken figures, Jonathan Abbey Pobee, who died on June 5, 2025.

He was the founder and long‑serving president of Neoplan Stars FC, a Kumasi‑based side that once competed in the Ghana Premier League.

Over the years, Abbey Pobee became well known for his candid assessments of football administrators, often challenging decisions by the Ghana Football Association and advocating for fairness, transparency, and proper support for grassroots football.

Ernest Akushey (Bahubali)

Ghanaian boxer Ernest Akushey, popularly known in the sporting fraternity as Bahubali, passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

His death came barely two weeks after suffering heavy punches in a bout at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

Born at Chorkor in Ghana’s capital city, the 32‑year‑old boxer fought in both the Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight divisions, depending on the bout or opponent.

Gabriel Oluwasegun

Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju collapsed during a fight with Ghana’s John Mbanugu on Saturday, March 29, 2025, and later passed away at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

His demise came after he collapsed mid‑fight at the Bukom Sports Arena and was rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

Before the unfortunate incident, Olanrewaju had previously fought Idowu Raheed at the Campos Mini Stadium in Lagos on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024.

The late boxer is believed to have had both Nigerian and Ghanaian parentage.

Ackah Anthony

Former President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), Ackah Anthony, passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2025.

According to his wife, Evelyn Ackah, he died at the Police Hospital in Accra.

Anthony Ackah served as SWAG president from 2007 to 2015. He was also a veteran journalist, holding the role of Assistant Editor at Graphic Sports under the Graphic Communications Group Limited.

Ebo Quansah

The fifth President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), Ebo Quansah, passed away on June 26, 2025.

His passing came shortly after the sudden death of Ackah Anthony, the sixth president of SWAG, who served the organisation with distinction.

Quansah’s career with SWAG began long before he became president, as he steadily rose through the ranks, serving first as Deputy Secretary and later as Secretary‑General.

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