As a player, he belonged to the class of quality players who took Ghana football to the heights of glory. He was a key member of the Black Stars which he once captained. He along with two compatriots — John Eshun and Oliver Acquah — savoured the unique honour of being selected into an African XI squad in the 70s.

Malik scored the winning goal for Kotoko when it won the Africa Cup the first time in 1970 in the final match against Englebert in Kinshasa.

As a coach, he masterminded Kotoko’s 5-1 demolition of reigning champions, Zamalek, in a semi-final club championship in Kumasi in 1987.

He was the assistant to Coach Ibrahim Sunday when Kotoko won the Africa Cup the second time in 1983 in the final against El-Ahli of Egypt in Kumasi.

Malik again led Kotoko to the final of the continent’s most prestigious competition in 1993 which Zamalek won on penalties in Egypt. He is expected to leave for Holland anytime soon for a one-month refresher course in coaching.