Dr. Patrice Motsepe on behalf of CAF, conveyed condolences on the passing of former Mali International and National Team player, Salif Keita to his family, the Fédération Malienne de Football, his friends and colleagues.

The Malian FA has announced on Saturday afternoon that legendary forward Salif Keita has passed away at the age of 76. The country’s sports ministry announced his death on Saturday afternoon that the former Saint-Étienne man had passed away in a private hospital in Bamako.

Salif Keita was the first African player to receive the CAF Award for African Player of the Year in 1970.

In 1972, Salif Keita was part of the National Team of Mali which finished second in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.

Keita won the domestic double twice with St Etinne in 1968 and 1970 and also won the league title in 1969 he joined the club from Real Bamako.

He scored 140 goals in 5 seasons before moving to Marseille in 1972.