Ghanaian star who ended Nigeria’s AFCON dream dies at 40

Former Ghana international Junior Agogo has passed away at the age of 40. The former Nottingham Forest player has been battling stroke since 2015 after he retired from football.

It now appears he has lost the battle as it was announced he has passed away. His agent, Saif Rubie, confirmed the news via his twitter handle.  “Just heard the news that one of my first clients ever Junior Agogo has passed away. Still can’t believe it. One of my proudest moments in football is seeing him smash the AFCON in Ghana.”

Agogo was born in Accra Ghana and started his career at Sheffield Wednesday in England. However, it was at Bristol Rovers where he made a name for himself.

He made 126 appearances for The Pirates, scoring 41 goals before joining Nottingham Forest in 2006 where he made 64 appearances for them.

He left the club in 2008 joining Egyptian side, Zamalek. On the international scene, he had won 26 caps for Ghana and was the country’s star at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.

Although Ghana did not win the tournament, Agogo was influential for the team, scoring the winner in the quarter-final victory over Nigeria.

He also scored Black Stars third goal in their 4-1 victory over the Super Eagles in an international friendly match in 2006. He retired from football in 2013 having played over 300 matches.