New Caledonian football is mourning the passing of one of its greatest players. Marc Kanyan Case died earlier this month aged 80.
Born in New Caledonia, Case was a prolific striker and winger who scored 101 goals in 292 senior games. He represented New Caledonia twice and played for France at the 1968 Olympics scoring twice in four games.
He was known as ‘Kanyan’ and joined the Corsican club Gazelec d’Ajaccio in 1963 from Olympic Noumea. After the Olympics in Mexico City he turned professional in 1969 and reached the 1972 Coupe de France final playing for Bastia against Olympique Marseille.
After his retirement from football in 1977 Kanyan returned to New Caldeonia where he became a sports educator and started a political career.
The OFC sends its condolences to Kanyan’s family and the football community in New Caledonia following the passing of one of its favourite sons.