About Coach Hene
Emmanuel Kwasi Afranie, affectionately known as Coach Hene
Coach Hene was a legendary Ghanaian football coach whose impact on the sport and young players remains profound. His career spanned several decades, and he is celebrated for his role in leading Ghana’s national football teams to great heights, including taking the Black Starlets (U-17 team) and the Black Satellites (U-20 team) to World Championship finals.
Coach Hene’s influence stretched beyond just winning titles. He was a father figure and mentor to many of Ghana’s greatest football stars, such as Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, and John Paintsil. He played a key role in helping these players achieve international success, many of whom later became key figures in Ghana’s first-ever FIFA World Cup appearances in 2006.
Among his many accolades, Coach Hene received the prestigious Grand National Medal from Ghana’s President John Agyekum Kufuor in 2008, recognizing his invaluable contributions to Ghanaian football. His deep love for the game also extended beyond Ghana’s borders; in the last years of his life, he worked as a guest coach at the Calgary West Soccer Academy in Canada, organizing youth football clinics.
The king of coaches
Tragically, in 2016, Coach Hene passed away following a stroke and a subsequent ambulance accident. His passing left a void in the hearts of many, but his legacy lives on through initiatives like the Coach Hene Memorial Foundation and Coach Hene Sports Club, established by his family to continue his work in youth football development.
Afranie’s life was marked by humility, dedication, and an unshakable commitment to nurturing young football talent, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to inspire future generations.
