Joseph Agyemang-Gyau

Joseph Agyeman-Gyau
Personal information
Full nameJoseph Agyeman-Gyau
Date of birth3 June 1939
Place of birthSunyani, Ghana
Playing positionDefender / Midfielder
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
Real Republicans
1968Washington Whips15(4)
1969–1970Washington Darts19(5)
1972–1973Baltimore Bays
1974Washington Diplomats7(1)
National team
1960–1968Ghana
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Joseph Agyemang-Gyau (also known as Agyemang Gyau[1] or Nana Gyau[2]) is a former Ghanaian international football player and traditional ruler.

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 is married to his wife of 50 years, Mary. He is the father of four children; Christiana, Emmanuel, Amy and Philip Gyau. He is 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]

References

  1. Joseph Agyemang-GyauFIFA competition record
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Joseph "Nana" Gyau". NASL Jerseys. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Ghanaian football's early years". BBC Sport. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  4. "Ghana - Japan 3:2 (1:1)". FIFA. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  5. "Silver Spring’s Joe Gyau rising up European soccer ranks". The Washington Post. 10 January 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. Retrieved 27 May 2013.

External links