President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, has hailed the impact of coach, Sam Arday who passed away on Sunday.
The former Gomoa Fetteh Feynoord technical director now WAFA SC died after a short illness.
According to his son, Sammy Hermans Arday the sad event happened Sunday afternoon in Accra.
In a series of tweets on Sunday, President Akufo-Addo described Arday as one of the most brilliant coaches in the country’s history.
“Saddened by the news of the death of Sam Arday. Undoubtedly, one of the most brilliant coaches Ghana has produced”
“My condolences to his family, and may his soul rest in perfect peace.”
Profile of Sam Arday
Arday was one of the most successful coaches at any age level for Ghana, guiding the under-17 team, the Black Starlets, to the 1995 FIFA U-17 World title and the African Under-17 Championship in Mali that same year.
The team had the likes of Christian Sarbah and future Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah and amazing dribbler, Awudu Issaka.
Sam Arday also led Ghana’s Olympic Team to a Bronze medal at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, the first such accolade for any African team.
Prior to that he achieved some success with the Black Satellites at the 1991 Africa Youth Championship in Egypt, finishing third.
He also had spells in charge of the senior national team, taking charge for a year from 1996 to 1997, and in 2004.
He served as a scout for Ghana ahead of the 2006 World Cup in Germany and he continued in that role for the national team when Kwesi Appiah was Black Stars head coach.
Arday was often credited with the development of several of the nation’s best players and he was respected as a true great of the game in Ghana and the African continent.
Arday managed Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak. His last job before he died was a technical director’s position at West African Football Academy.
