Former Ghana and Ajax Amsterdam midfielder maestro Yakubu Abubakar has passed on to glory.
The sad incident happened following a battle with illness.
He was 36.
Known popularly as Zapata, Yakubu Abubakar who was based in Tema, is reputed for being a part of the famous Ajax side of the early 2000s which boasted of players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wesley Sneijder and Ghanaian compatriot Anthony Obodai.
While playing for Ajax Amsterdam at just 17 years old, Yakubu was named the hottest prospect in football by World Soccer magazine.
He made his debut in the first team under coach Hans Westerhof. The defensive midfielder played 89 official matches for Ajax. He won the Dutch championship with the club in 2002 and 2004, the Dutch Super Cup (Johan Cruijff Shield) in 2002 and the national cup in 2002. With Ajax, he also won the prestigious Amsterdam Tournament in 2001 and 2003.
Yakubu also played for Dutch side Vitesse but started off with now defunct Tema Ghapoha.
He featured 16 times for the Black Stars.
Ex Black Stars, Ajax Amsterdam Midfielder Yakubu Abubakari Zapata is dead
