Former Ajax and Ghana star Abubakari Yakubu dies aged 35
Defensive midfielder Yakubu passed away in hospital after an illness. The world of football reacted with emotional messages.
Former Ajax and Ghana defensive midfielder Abubakari Yakubu has died, revealed the Ghanaian Football Association on Wednesday.
According to The Mirror, Yakubu died in a hospital in Tema, after being placed on life-support following an illness earlier this week.
Yakubu’s career
Born in Tema, Abubakari left Ghana at the age of 17 to join Dutch giants, Ajax Amsterdam, with which he won two league championships and a Dutch Cup.
In total, Yakubu made 89 appearances for Ajax, and in 2004, he joined SBV Vitesse, playing with the Arnhem club until 2009.
In October 2009, he had an unsuccessful trial with TSV 1869 München. After being rejected, he played no more professional football.
Yakubu's international career
Yakubu won 16 international caps for Ghana, and helped his country reach their first World Cup in 2006, however, in the end he didn't feature in the competition.
Rest in peace Abubakari
Today, the football world paid tribute to the late midfielder. Ghana captain, Asamoah Gyan, posted an emotional message on his Instagram account:
Former Ajax head coach, Ronald Koeman also reacted, on Twitter:
AFC Ajax posted an emotive video depicting Yakubu’s best moments with the club: