Baba Yara

Baba Yara (real name Osman Seidu) was a Ghanaian international football player. He was popularly known as the ''King of Wingers''.[1]

Baba Yara
Personal information
Full name Osman Seidu
Date of birth (1936-10-12)12 October 1936
Place of birth Kintampo, Ghana
Date of death 5 May 1969(1969-05-05) (aged 32)
Place of death Accra, Ghana
Position(s) Winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Asante Kotoko
Real Republicans
National team
1955–1963 Ghana
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only
Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi

He started his career as a horse jockey player as a youngster at the Accra Turf Club from 1950–1955.[2]

He was a former player of Kumasi Asante Kotoko in Ghana. He was signed by Asante Kotoko in 1955.[3]

He made his debut as a player of the Ghana Black Stars in 1955.[2] He was part of Ghana National team that won African Cup of Nations in 1963. He played for Ghana in their unsuccessful 1962 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.

At the age of 26, he was injured in a motor collision at Kpeve in the Volta region while travelling back to Accra with his team, Real Republicans. His team played against Volta Heroes of Kpandu and won on the 24th of March 1963. He suffered a spinal injury and was paralysed and never played again.[4][3]

He was flown to England accompanied by a surgical specialist from 37 Military Hospital by the name Dr. R. O. Addae where he was to be treated at Stoke Mandeville Hospital for spinal injuries. Reports received from the hospital stated there was likely Yara will gain recovery within a period of 4–6 months. It did not happen and he returned home on 14th August 1963 in a wheelchair. He died on 5th May 1969 at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.[3][2]

In 2005, the Baba Yara Stadium was named in his honour.

Honours

African Cup of Nations :1963

Footballer of the Year

Distinguished Member of the Black Star Group: 1961[3]

References
  1. Darfour, Felix. "Baba Yara; a Ghanaian soccer legend whose career was cut short. | Ghana News". Retrieved 2019-05-18.
  2. "Baba Yara is Ghana's greatest player – Ibrahim Sunday". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  3. "Today in sports history: Ex-Asante Kotoko winger Baba Yara dies". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  4. "Baba Yara , Mr". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
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