Football legend Abdul Ghani Minhat, nicknamed ‘Raja Bola’ or ‘King of the Ball’ died today. He was 77.

Abdul Ghani passed away at 10.34am at the National Heart Institute (IJN) as a result of complications following a heart bypass operation, his brother-in-law Nik Kamaruddin Ismail told Bernama.

He said Abdul Ghani would be buried at the USJ 21 Muslim cemetery in Subang Jaya after prayers were conducted at the Kampung Baru Mosque.

Abdul Ghani leaves behind wife Tengku Aishah Tengku Ibrahim and four children, two boys and two girls.

During his heyday in the 1960s and 1970s, Abdul Ghani played in the position of inside forward and was a crafty and agile player dreaded by opponents. 

Although, he was born in Rantau, Negri Sembilan, Abdul Ghani contributed his great talent as a player and coach to the Selangor team.

In 1959, the Selangor Football Association (FAS) conferred on him the title ‘Raja Bola’ in appreciation of his vast contribution to the state.

Abdul Ghani was adjudged the best national football player in 1959 and 1960. He is known for having scored 106 goals in only 15 matches.

- Bernama