Malian forward Salif Keita, the winner of the first African Footballer of the Year award in 1970 and one of the continent’s sporting legends, died in Bamako on Saturday at the age of 76, the country’s football federation said.
Keita enjoyed a long career in France at St. Etienne and Olympique de Marseille and also played for Valencia in Spain and Sporting Lisbon before finishing his career in the North American Soccer League.
He made his debut for Mali at age 16 and later helped them reach the final of the 1972 Africa Cup of Nations.
From 2005 to 2009, Keita served as president of the Mali Football Federation.
Confederation of African Football (Caf) President Patrice Motsepe, on behalf of Caf, conveyed condolences on the passing of former Mali international and national team player Salif Keita to his family, the Fédération Malienne de Football, his friends, and colleagues.
Salif Keita was the first African player to receive the Caf Award for African Player of the Year in 1970. In 1972, Salif Keita was part of the national team of Mali, which finished second in the Caf Africa Cup of Nations.
Meanwhile, in more African football news, the draw for the inaugural African Football League (AFL) quarterfinals in Cairo has produced mouth watering ties between some of the continent’s biggest clubs.
Tanzania’s Simba SC will host Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the first leg of the first quarterfinal on October 20 in the draw conducted on Saturday by Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan and Angolan model Maria Borges.
Al Ahly have won a record 11 Caf Champions League titles, while Simba are seeking a maiden semi-final appearance in the new AFL.
Five-time Champions League winners TP Mazembe of the DR Congo takes on Tunisian cup specialists Esperance, four-time winners, in the second quarterfinal first leg on October 21.
Nigerian outfit Enyimba, the first Nigerian club to win the Caf Champions League in 2003 and 2004, faces Moroccan heavyweights Wydad Casablanca, who have three titles.
Petro du Luanda from Angola and Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa conclude the quarterfinal matchups.
Petro’s participation will, however, depend on an appeal they have filed with the Angolan Football Association over a discipline matter. www.supersport.com