RTU consoles Hearts and bereaved family of Ofei Ansah

Accra, June 14, GNA - The football fraternity of Real Tamale United (RTU) made up of the Board, Management, Technical Team, Playing Body and Supporters have expressed their deepest and heartfelt condolence to Hearts of Oak and the bereaved family of the late Ofei Ansah who met his untimely death last Wednesday.

A statement signed by Mr Jones Alhassan-Abu, Board Secretary of the Club copied to the GNA Sports said RTU are shocked at the death of one of the most famous players to don the rainbow colours of Hearts. "Not only did Ofei serve Hearts as a player and later as a coach with unparalleled devotion, but he also rendered such distinguished service to Ghana as a stalwart defender for the senior national team, the Black Stars in the 1970's and 1980's". The statement continued that Ofei's sudden death is not only a big blow to Hearts but to the entire nation.

Coach Emmanuel Ofei Ansah 52, collapsed after the eighth-week GT Premier League match against Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals last Tuesday, June 7 and was immediately rushed to the Ridge Hospital in Accra where he later passed away in the early hours of Wednesday June 8. The cause of his death is not yet known while the body has been sent to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for autopsy.

The statement said Ofei would be fondly remembered as a model professional who dedicated his whole life to football while even deriving little pecuniary benefit from the game. It said for Ofei to pass away shortly after orchestrating a significant victory over his mentor, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, formerly of Hearts and now with Liberty Professionals which catapulted Hearts to the top of this year's League table, is a sad and ironic twist of the fate that is scant consolation for his great loss. "Indeed you died as a hero". The statement concluded by saying RTU is joining Hearts and the bereaved family in mourning the fallen hero and pray that the Almighty God will shower his bountiful mercies on "O Ansah", as he is fondly remembered.

The ex-Black Stars cum Hearts player joined the technical handlers of the Phobians in 1996 after 13 years of playing career. Ofei Ansah's playing career started in 1973 with Hearts after a stint with the club's nursery side, Auroras. As a coach, he partnered former head coach, Jones Attuquayefio who incidentally is his uncle to conquer the Confederation of Africa (CAF) Champions League and Super Cup in 2000. Ofei, who has previously had stints as caretaker coach of the club, took over the reins of Hearts in another caretaker capacity again from Archibald Lamptey after the first game of the season and was in that capacity till his untimely death. He is survived by a wife and four children.