Ghanaian football icon Abdul Karim ‘Golden Boy’ Razak was honoured with special recognition at the WAFU B General Assembly held in Niamey, Niger, on Friday.
The 1978 African Footballer of the Year attended the event as a distinguished special guest, joining a notable gathering of football leaders from across the sub-region.
Born on April 18, 1956, in Kumasi, Ghana, Razak began his football career at a local youth team before moving to Kumasi Cornerstones in 1972.
His talent quickly caught the attention of Asante Kotoko, one of Ghana’s most successful clubs, where he played from 1975 to 1979. Razak helped the team win several titles and earned the nickname “Golden Boy” for his exceptional skills.
In 1979, Razak moved to the United States to play for the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League (NASL), where he played alongside renowned footballers like Franz Beckenbauer and Carlos Alberto.
After a brief stint in the NASL, Razak returned to Africa, playing for clubs in the UAE, Egypt, and Ivory Coast.
Razak’s international career was equally impressive. He was a key player for the Ghana national team, helping them win the 1978 African Cup of Nations.
His performance in the tournament, including a decisive goal against Tunisia, earned him the title of African Footballer of the Year in 1978. In 2007, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) recognized Razak as one of Africa’s 30 greatest footballers of the past 50 years. Beyond his playing career, Razak transitioned into coaching, leading several clubs in Mali, Sudan, Qatar, and North Africa.
The WAFU B General Assembly saw the presence of presidents and general secretaries from seven member associations, as well as zonal leaders, and celebrated former African football stars.
Razak was recognized alongside other football legends such as Moumouni Dagano from Burkina Faso, Kossi Agassa from Togo, and Moussa Maâzou from Niger.
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