President John Mahama has paid glowing tribute to former Hearts of Oak coach Jones Attuquayefio, describing him as a shining beacon who made a case for local coaches.
The 70-year-old who passed on to glory in May after losing his battle with cancer will be laid to rest on July 24.
Family of the deceased coaching legend paid a courtesy call on the President on Tuesday to officially inform him of the funeral arrangements as demanded by Ghanaian customs.
The visit have President Mahama the opportunity to eulogize Jones Attuquayefio who famously assembled a group of local inexperienced players to secure a draw against the then almighty Nigeria full of star-studded names during his short stint with the Black Stars.
“For many years, there had been doubts about the capacity of local coaches to handle the national teams. Jones is one of the people who made mincemeat of that myth,” President Mahama told the delegation led by Hon. Adu Mantey.
“On behalf of the people of Ghana, President Mahama expressed the nation’s condolence to the Attuquayefio family on the death of the former Coach.”
Jones Attuquayefio is best remembered for his trophy laden spell with Hearts of Oak in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.
He moulded arguably the best ever group of players at club level who eventually became known as the 64 Battalion who won several domestic titles and crowned it up with a successful campaign in the CAF Champions League in the year 2000.
Attuquayefio returned four years later to lead the Phobians to victory in the maiden edition of the CAF Confederation Cup where they beat arch rivals Asante Kotoko on penalties.