We, like many soccer fans across the globe, are greatly saddened by thedeath of the music legend.


The reports of Mr. Jackson’s death ricocheted around the world withremarkable speed that our Ghana's soccer news website has no option but to pay aspecial tribute to him.


Jackson was one of the artistes pencilled down by his Senegalese friend Akonto perform at the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup.


Akon has been appointed as the music director and Jackson would haveperformed at the first World Cup to be held in Africa where the Black Stars areoverwhelmingly expected to play in.


The American pop legend Jackson died of a heart attack in a Los Angeleshospital today, just weeks before he hoped to resurrect his four-decade longcareer with a series of sold-out shows in London.

Jackson was taken to the University of California at Los Angeles medicalcentre, and paramedics administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation in theambulance.

He arrived at the hospital in a coma and was reported dead aboutthree hours later.

Although in the last two decades his reputation wassullied by accusations of child molestation and his bizarre public behaviour,the shows sold 1m tickets within hours, proving the King of Pop has enduringappeal, even among fans who were not yet born when he released the"Thriller" album in 1982.





Jackson's impact on American pop music cannot be overstated.



His signaturevocal style, dance moves, including the moon walk, and his military-inspiredfashion sense influenced pop culture world wide.



He earned worldwide acclaimfor his 1982 Thriller album, produced by Quincy Jones. His subsequent efforts,including his Bad album in 1987 and a collaboration with sister Janet Jacksonwere also well received.



His Thriller video, with its occult imagery andchoreographed ensemble dance helped launch the music video genre.



He ultimately sold more than 750m albums worldwide and won 13 Grammy awards.