Ghana football suffered a devastating blow on Tuesday morning when one of the top brains in the country's game, Jones Abu Alhassan, died suddenly in the Ivorian capital of Abidjan, Ghanasoccernet.com can reveal.
The top Ghana football official, who is a luminary in the country's game passed away in Abidjan where he was accompanying Hasaacas Ladies to the Wafu B Champions League qualifiers.
The man, who is credited for bringing the Ghana FA President Kurt Okraku into office two years ago, passed away in Abidjan on Tuesday morning as he was part of the GFA delegation to the tournament.
He was 64 and Okraku paid tribute to man popularly called 'Prof' or 'Accra Big Man'
"PROF......Thanks for everything..Thanks for the hours we spent together thinking about Ghana Football.....Am shattered ...
RIP...SIr!!," Okraku wrote on Tuesday morning.
The organisation representing the league clubs in Ghana, GHALCA, also hailed Alhassan for his contribution to the country's game for over 40 years.
"We are shattered by the news of the passing of one of the outstanding football administrators in Ghana Jones Alhassan Abu," GHALCA said in a statement on Tuesday.
"He was a luminary in the country's game and contributed immensely to the growth of Ghana football. May Allah grant him Jannatul-Firdaus."
Family members are currently holding a meeting to decide on the next line of action according to Islamic traditions which mandate quick burials.
The Black Stars management committee member fell ill on Friday evening as he prepared to return to Ghana following Hasaacas Ladies' annexation of the WAFU B Clubs Championship title last week.
He was immediately hospitalised as his condition deteriorated but could not survive after spending just three days.
Plans were underway to fly him back to Accra on Tuesday afternoon but he passed away in the morning in the hospital.
Alhassan, who was the long time manager of legendary Ghanaian footballer Abedi Pele, was an astute football administrator and football agent for several top players in the country.
The ardent Hearts of Oak fan has been an intelligent lifelong football administrator and has been part of the leadership of several clubs in the Northern region of Ghana.
He served in various capacities of the giants of the north Real Tamale United before branching out to play a major role for Tamale City Football Club.