The heartbreaking story of former Black Stars player, Abubakari Gariba aka “Goal Na mefif3” has left many football fans distraught after he gave a sorry account of how he became a street beggar in order to make a living despite his selfless efforts to the country.
According to him in a video sighted by MyNewsGh.com, he was named “Goal Na mefif3” meaning ‘I am looking for goals’ at the peak of his career because of his hunger for goals for his team each time there was a competition and could dribble many to satisfy this desire as a striker.
He disclosed to Head of Sports at Atinka Media, Saddick Adams that he was committed to playing for his team and country but has nothing to show for it after playing for Kumasi Asante Kotoko and others.
“I was a striker, I had speed and could dribble. I could take a shot from 30 or 40 yards and score because I loved to. You cannot win a trophy if you don’t score. I cannot remember the number of goals I have scored. I used to play in Tamale before Kotoko came for my services. I have played for Blacks Stars home and away but there is nothing. I devoted myself for the team but now I beg to survive”, he revealed.
It would be recalled that Ex-Ghana and Accra Hearts of Oak international goalie Ali Jarrah, bemoaned the situation where leaders of the country allow their heroes to die in misery and sorrow despite their selfless contributions in keeping the flag of the country high.
He was saddened that ever since he was struck by paralysis 25-years ago, he has virtually been abandoned by the country and struggling to fend for himself when in other jurisdictions that would have been the responsibility of the state.
According to him, it should not get to a point where patriots will be unwilling to die for their country warning that if this persists there is no option for the younger generation but relegate their sacrifice to the country to the background.
“We should not wait for our heroes to die in misery and sorrow. If after my death you come to make huge donations to my family then it is them you have supported not me because by that time I am gone”, he lamented on Sports Court on Atinka TV hosted by Sports Obama.
Ali Jarrah got paralyzed on September 5, 1993.
