BY GRACE ZIGAH
Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan was overcome with emotion on Saturday, November 7, 2026, as he bid a final farewell to his late father, George Gyan Baffour Mensah, who was laid to rest in Accra.
The Ghanaian football legend struggled to hold back his tears during the funeral ceremony as he stood alongside his elder brother, former Ghana international Baffour Gyan, to pay their final respects to the man who played a significant role in their lives.
Emotional scenes from the burial ceremony captured Gyan visibly distressed as he mourned his father, while family members and sympathisers gathered to honour the memory of the deceased.
During the funeral rites, Baffour Gyan read a tribute on behalf of the family, reflecting on their late father’s life and the memories he left behind. The two brothers stood together as they said their final goodbye.
George Gyan Baffour Mensah died on June 29, 2026, at the age of 82, following a short illness. His family subsequently held his one-week observance on August 21 at the New Gbawe Cluster of Schools Astroturf in Mallam-Gbawe.
Gyan had earlier announced his father’s passing on July 24, sharing an emotional tribute in which he expressed gratitude for the support and care he received throughout his life and football career.
In his heartfelt message, the former Sunderland and Black Stars striker acknowledged his father’s contribution to his journey, describing him as someone who had witnessed his achievements and remained a source of support.
“I’m happy you saw my greatness, Da. Thank you for taking care of us. You will forever be in our hearts. R.I.P. (ASASE J),” Gyan wrote.
The burial marks the end of a difficult period for the former striker and his family as they come to terms with the loss of their patriarch.
Beyond his personal loss, Gyan remains one of the most celebrated figures in Ghanaian football history. He is the country’s all-time leading scorer with 51 international goals and holds the record as the highest-scoring African player in FIFA World Cup history, with six goals.
He represented Ghana at three consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments in 2006, 2010 and 2014, becoming a central figure in the Black Stars’ historic campaign at the 2010 tournament in South Africa, where Ghana reached the quarter-finals.
In September 2026, Gyan took up a new role within Ghana football after being appointed the Black Stars’ Clubs and Player Relations Manager.
