Ghana FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi travelled to Senegal to mourn with the FIFA General Secretary Fatma Samoura following the death of her mother this week.
Madam Samoura had to dash from the FIFA headquarters in Zurich to her home town of Dakar on Monday following the passing of her mother.
Anna Ndiaye was buried the same day according to Islamic tradition. She was 77.
Samoura, who is the first African and woman to hold such high office in world football, has attracted much respect and support for her work since taking over the post.
Nyantakyi led some African federation heads who travelled to Dakar on Wednesday to join the funeral of the FIFA scribe’s mother with Senegal FA president Augustin Senghor, Guinea FA chief Antonio Soure and Mauritania FA boss Ahmed Yahya among some of the notable names who attended.
FIFA Director of Member Associations & Development for Africa and the Caribbean, Mr.Véron Mosengo-Omba also travelled from Zurich to attend the funeral.
Nyantakyi paid tribute to Madam Ndiaye for raising Fatma insisting the qualities demonstrated by the FIFA Secretary General shows that she had a good upbringing by her parents.
“We were devastated when we heard the news. From the testimonies we have heard today and from our work with her we know there was a close bond between Fatma and our mother,” Nyantakyi told the gathering.
“Fatma owes a lot to her mother for her current position at FIFA.
The mother took very good care of her and that’s why she has risen to become a very important person in world football.
“I would want the family to know that we cherish Fatma not only because she is an African but also her great personality. She is hardworking and professional in her work.”
Samoura was appointed as the first female Secretary General of FIFA by President Gianni Infantino in June last year and her appointment has been widely praised by Africans.