Robert Mensah
Encyclopedia
Robert Mensah is a former Ghanaian international football player. As a player, he was best known for his exploits at Asante Kotoko F.C. where he won the African Clubs Cup in 1970. He was also a runner-up with the Ghana squad for the 1968 African Cup of Nations
and represented Ghana at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Mensah played in the 1967 Africa Clubs Cup final which resulted in a 3-3 draw and a replay was scheduled, however the Ghana Football Association
never informed Asante Kotoko. As a result Asante Kotoko did not participate in the replay and the trophy was awarded to Zaire
's TP Engelbert
in their absence.
Mensah was largely a controversial in Ghanaian football and would mock opposition players by reading a newspaper whilst goal-tending. He often wore a cap during football games causing some opposing players to physically remove it from his head believing it was bringing them bad luck through the use of juju
.
In 1970 he was voted as the 9th best African football player by French football publication France-Football. A year later he was runner-up in the African football player of the year award.
During a qualifying game against the Liberian national football team in April 1970, the player had missiles thrown at him by the home crowd.
In June the same year, his club side Tema Textiles Printing sacked him for not showing up for training. The player was training with the international team as they were playing against the Ivory Coast in a friendly.
His final game for Ghana would unknowingly come on October 28, 1971 when Ghana were knocked out 1-0 on aggregate by Togo.
. The player was stabbed with a broken bottle after an altercation in an akpeteshie
bar Credo, Tema (Community 7)
and died days later in Tema General Hospital at 02:30am on 2 November 1971. Three men were arrested by the Ghanaian police authorities following the death. Isaac Melfah, a 31 year old Electrician was reported to have been the perpetrator.
A sports stadium in Cape Coast
has been named in his honour. The stadium is the home venue of the Mysterious Dwarfs
, the team which Mensah began his football career with. He is also the subject of a folk song, in 1972 a song was released called "Robert Mensah" condemning drinking.
International team mate Ibrahim Sunday
said that Mensah's lack of discipline was a reason for his death: "Robert was a great goalkeeper but at the same time he was a troublesome player who was not very disciplined but played very well in goal. It was his lack of discipline that caused his death..."
1968 African Cup of Nations
The 1968 African Cup of Nations was the sixth edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Ethiopia. The field expanded to eight teams, split into two groups of four; the top two teams in each group advanced to the semifinals...
and represented Ghana at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
Mensah played in the 1967 Africa Clubs Cup final which resulted in a 3-3 draw and a replay was scheduled, however the Ghana Football Association
Ghana Football Association
The Ghana Football Association is the governing body of association football in Ghana, based in Accra.-Amateur Status:It is on record that the game of Football was introduced into the Gold Coast towards the close of the 19th century by Merchants from Europe, who had then invaded the coastal areas...
never informed Asante Kotoko. As a result Asante Kotoko did not participate in the replay and the trophy was awarded to Zaire
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
's TP Engelbert
TP Mazembe
Tout Puissant Mazembe, formerly known as Englebert, are a Congolese football club based in Lubumbashi. Their home games are played at Stade Municipal de Lubumbashi. Its nickname is Les corbeaux despite having a crocodile with a ball in its mouth on the team crest...
in their absence.
Mensah was largely a controversial in Ghanaian football and would mock opposition players by reading a newspaper whilst goal-tending. He often wore a cap during football games causing some opposing players to physically remove it from his head believing it was bringing them bad luck through the use of juju
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
.
In 1970 he was voted as the 9th best African football player by French football publication France-Football. A year later he was runner-up in the African football player of the year award.
During a qualifying game against the Liberian national football team in April 1970, the player had missiles thrown at him by the home crowd.
In June the same year, his club side Tema Textiles Printing sacked him for not showing up for training. The player was training with the international team as they were playing against the Ivory Coast in a friendly.
His final game for Ghana would unknowingly come on October 28, 1971 when Ghana were knocked out 1-0 on aggregate by Togo.
Death and legacy
He was murdered in 1971 following Ghana's unsuccessful qualifying campaign for the 1972 African Cup of Nations1972 African Cup of Nations
The 1972 African Cup of Nations was the eighth edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Cameroon, in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala. Just like in 1970, the field of eight teams was split into two groups of four...
. The player was stabbed with a broken bottle after an altercation in an akpeteshie
Gin
Gin is a spirit which derives its predominant flavour from juniper berries . Although several different styles of gin have existed since its origins, it is broadly differentiated into two basic legal categories...
bar Credo, Tema (Community 7)
Tema
Tema is a city on the Atlantic coast of Ghana, lying east of the Ghanaian capital city, Accra, in the region of Greater Accra. As of 2005, Tema had a population of 209,000. The Greenwich Meridian passes directly through the city...
and died days later in Tema General Hospital at 02:30am on 2 November 1971. Three men were arrested by the Ghanaian police authorities following the death. Isaac Melfah, a 31 year old Electrician was reported to have been the perpetrator.
A sports stadium in Cape Coast
Cape Coast
Cape Coast, or Cabo Corso, is the capital of the Central Region of Ghana and is also the capital city of the Fante people, or Mfantsefo. It is situated 165 km west of Accra on the Gulf of Guinea. It has a population of 82,291 . From the 16th century the city has changed hands between the...
has been named in his honour. The stadium is the home venue of the Mysterious Dwarfs
Ebusua Dwarfs
Essienimpong Cape-Coast Mysterious Dwarfs Ebusua Dwarfs is a Ghanaian football club based in Cape Coast. It is currently a member of the Ghanaian first division, and hold home games at Cape Coast Sports Stadium.-Squad:...
, the team which Mensah began his football career with. He is also the subject of a folk song, in 1972 a song was released called "Robert Mensah" condemning drinking.
International team mate Ibrahim Sunday
Ibrahim Sunday
Ibrahim Sunday is a former Ghanaian football player and coach.-Playing career:Sunday started his career playing for local club Kumasi Asante Kotoko, of which he became the captain. In 1970, he and his club won the African Cup of Champions, predecessor of the CAF Champions League, the first...
said that Mensah's lack of discipline was a reason for his death: "Robert was a great goalkeeper but at the same time he was a troublesome player who was not very disciplined but played very well in goal. It was his lack of discipline that caused his death..."
External links
- Ghana's wacky, wonderful keeper on fifa.com