Joseph Agyemang-Gyau

Joseph Agyemang-Gyau (3 June 1939 – 14 May 2015), also known as Agyemang Gyau[1] or Nana Gyau,[2] was a former Ghanaian international football player and traditional ruler.

Joseph Agyeman-Gyau
Personal information
Full name Joseph Agyeman-Gyau
Date of birth 3 June 1939 (1939-06-03)
Place of birth Sunyani, Ghana
Date of death 14 May 2015 (2015-05-15) (aged 75)
Position(s) Winger / Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Real Republicans
B/A United
1968 Washington Whips 15 (4)
1969–1970 Washington Darts 19 (5)
1972–1973 Baltimore Bays
1974 Washington Diplomats 7 (1)
International career
1960–1968 Ghana
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Agyeman-Gyau started his career as an amateur in his home country playing for Real Republicans and then B/A United. In 1968, he moved to the United States to play football professionally, and played for Washington Whips in the inaugural North American Soccer League season, scoring four goals in 15 games for the club.[2] After the dissolution of the Whips at the end of the season, he joined Washington Darts, where he won the American Soccer League title in 1969. The Darts joined the NASL for the following season, and Agyeman-Gyau appeared 19 times, scoring five goals.[2] He went on to play another two seasons in the ASL with Baltimore Bays before joining his third NASL club Washington Diplomats in 1974, playing seven league games and scoring one goal.[2]

International career

Agyeman-Gyau began representing Ghana in 1960, and went on to win two African Cup of Nations titles with the team in 1963 and 1965.[3] He also represented the team in the 1964 Summer Olympics, scoring in a 3–2 win against Japan[4] before Ghana were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the tournament. He continued to play for Ghana until 1968 when he moved to the United States.[3]

Personal life

Agyeman-Gyau was married to his wife for 50 years, Mary. He was the father of four children; Christiana, Emmanuel, Amy and Philip Gyau. He was also a grandfather of 7 which includes Joe Gyau who followed in his father's and grandfather's footsteps as a professional soccer player.[5] He later returned to Ghana, where he was appointed as a traditional ruler, becoming the Atipimhene of Berekum.[6][7] He died on 14 May 2015.[8]

References
  1. Joseph Agyemang-Gyau – FIFA competition record (archived)
  2. "Joseph "Nana" Gyau". NASL Jerseys. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  3. "Ghanaian football's early years". BBC Sport. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  4. "Ghana - Japan 3:2 (1:1)". FIFA. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  5. "Silver Spring's Joe Gyau rising up European soccer ranks". The Washington Post. 10 January 2013. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  6. "Chief Urges Lawyers To Support ADR In The Adjudication Processes". Government of Ghana. 6 November 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  7. "Build A More Viable National Team - Agyemang Gyau Urges GFA". The Ghanaian Times. New Times Corporation. 26 February 2013. Archived from the original on 2 July 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  8. "Modern Ghana". www.modernghana.com. Retrieved 2018-06-07.
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