Ghanaian football legend, Bernard Dong-Bortey retires from active football
Ghana and Hearts of Oak prolific striker, Bernard Dong-Bortey has officially announced his retirement from active football after over two decades of playing. He was affectionately called Dada Dong-Bortey to signify his prowess in the field of play. He was arguably the most popular local player in the last two decades alongside Charles Taylor. The…
Ghana and Hearts of Oak prolific striker, Bernard Dong-Bortey has officially announced his retirement from active football after over two decades of playing.
He was affectionately called Dada Dong-Bortey to signify his prowess in the field of play. He was arguably the most popular local player in the last two decades alongside Charles Taylor.
The 37-year-old won four Ghana Premier League titles, the 2002 league goal-king award, and the Caf Confederation Cup.
The tough-talking footballer rose to prominence at the 1999 Fifa U17 World Cup, where he netted three times to finish the tournament as the joint-third top scorer.
Dong-Bortey did well to establish himself as a star on the local scene but struggled in his bid to forge a decent career abroad on multiple attempts.
He confirmed his retirement in an interview with Goal.com:
“I’m not God. Maybe where I reached was the stage God wanted me to finish it for someone to come and continue. I have pain in me but it’s past.
“I have to put it behind me because I have three kids who are all playing football, so I have to focus on pushing them. I could not do it but maybe they can do it for me.
“I want to be a coach now. I’ve retired. I was not 100 percent sure but I have done it,” he said.
He continued: “I’m still playing football but not competitively. I don’t want to play any more competitive leagues like the Ghana Premier League because I have made the name already.
“Everybody knows my name in Ghana football. So I have to leave for the young ones to take over. Now, I’m a coach. I’m not a footballer anymore. I’ve retired.” he added.
Bortey played for Al Wasl FC of the United Arab Emirates, Bnei Sakhnin of Israel, Vietnamese side CLB Song Lam and The Panthers of Equatorial Guinea in a series of brief, unsuccessful stints.
Bortey made over 20 appearances for Ghana’s senior national team.