SWAG visit family of Ofei Ansah

Accra, June 12, GNA - The Sport Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) on Saturday paid a visit to the family house of the late Ofei Ansah, acting coach of Accra Hearts of Oak, who collapse and later died last Wednesday after a GT Premier league match, to express their condolence. The SWAG delegation, which was led by its President, Mr Ebo Quansah expressed the Association's heartfelt sympathies and assured the family of it's readiness to help in any capacity within it's domain to give the late Ofei Ansah a fitting farewell.

Mr Ebo Quansah, in a short address, praised Ofei Ansah for his devotion to the game as shown during his playing and coaching days. "I am not surprised that his last activity on earth before going back to his maker was associated with football as that is what he lived for." He described Ofei Ansah's playing days, as those days when one went to the stadium and enjoyed the game, as it should be, because everybody involved exhibited dedication and commitment.

Mr Quansah said because of the hard work and dedication of Ofei Ansah to the cause of Accra Hearts of Oak and Ghana soccer as whole, he would always be remembered fondly. A spokesman for Ofei Ansah's family thanked SWAG for the visit and promised to relay any new development concerning funeral and burial arrangements to the Association.

Coach Emmanuel Ofei Ansah 52, collapsed after the eighth-week GT Premier League match against Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals last Tuesday and was immediately rushed to the Ridge Hospital in Accra after first aid treatment. He later passed away in the early hours of Wednesday. The cause of his death is not yet known as the body has been sent to the Korlebu Teaching Hospital for autopsy.

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 team, 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.