John Botwe passes away
Former Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Black Stars goalkeeper, John Botwe, has died after a protracted illness which kept him bed-ridden for sometime.
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He died at the age of 70 at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) on December 31, 2013, where he was rushed for emergency medical care.
John Botwe, who retired from active soccer in 1976, joined Kumasi Asante Kotoko in 1971 from the one-time ‘Apostles of Ghana Soccer’, Brong Ahafo (BA) United.
A former Kotoko and Black Stars prolific striker, Opoku Afriyie, who briefed the Daily Graphic about the death of Botwe, said he left behind seven children.
Describing John Botwe as God-fearing, a disciplinarian and hard-working gentleman, Opoku Afriyie said it was such values that made him one of the best goalkeepers who featured prominently for Kotoko and the Black Stars after the death of Robert Mensah in 1971.
“He was also a staunch Christian during his playing days and became a priest at the Miracle Revival Mission Church at South Suntreso in Kumasi after he retired from active soccer.
“I learnt a lot from him as a young player in those days, and it was his pieces of advice that motivated me to work very hard and featured prominently for both Kotoko and the Black Stars,” he said.
Mr Opoku Afriyie said as a member of the Asante Kotoko Old Players Association (AKOPA), Botwe also played a key role to motivate the players of Kotoko in diverse ways and, therefore, expressed regret about his death.
He gave the assurance that members of AKOPA would collaborate with the bereaved family to give Botwe a fitting burial.