The record holder for the most number of goals at the Africa Cup of Nations finals, Laurent N’dri Pokou is a known name to the new generation of African football followers. The record stood for almost 40 years resonating the player’s glory long after his meant the Ivorian striker’s reputation resonated long after his achievements.
After a long period of illness, Pokou, died in Abidjan on Sunday aged 69. He set the record of 14 goals in just two tournaments – six goals in the 1968 finals in Ethiopia where the Elephants finished third and eight in 1970 in the tournament in Sudan where the Ivorians stood at fourth position.
Pokou was picked by Ivorian national team at the age of 19.He belonged to Treichville slum of Abidjan but first played at USFAN in Bouake before going to ASEC Abidjan, where he won six championships.
His unmatchable talent transferred him to France where he quickly became an idol at Stade Rennes.
Pokou scored 52 goals in 82 games in two spells with the club. In between he went for a spell at Nancy when Rennes fell into financial difficulty. Rennes supporters raised 70,000 (French franc) transfer fee to take him back to the club.
