They are waiting for me to die before they honor me – Mohammed Polo

Mohammed Polo's Call for Honor

Mohammed Polo, a 1978 AFCON winner, is a legendary figure. He played for the Black Stars and Accra Hearts of Oak. Recently, he urged that living football legends should be honored now, not after they die.

At the “Honoring the Legends” event, Polo questioned why former players are recognized only posthumously. He expressed his desire to receive honors while alive. "If I die, I don’t need anything," he said.

Polo recalled his former captain, Awuley Quaye. Quaye led Ghana to victory in 1978 but faced serious hardships before his death. He endured a leg amputation, which many people did not know about until it was too late.

Polo criticized the state burial given to Quaye. He wondered why more support wasn’t provided during Quaye’s life.

He also expressed frustration over Anas “Thunderman” Seidu’s treatment. Seidu was part of Ghana’s celebrated “Fearsome 5” squad but struggled with health and finances while alive. Polo noted that Seidu was only honored after his death when an edifice at Kpobiman was named after him.

"Anas Seidu struggled in life; nobody cared," Polo stated. His remarks highlight a long-standing issue in Ghanaian sports: neglecting national heroes until they pass away.