Malian football legend Salif Keita, Saint-Etienne’s ‘Black Panther’, dies at 76

Minister Abdoul Kassim Ibrahim Fomba said Keita passed away in the captial city Bamako, where he was also born.

Keita retired in 1980 after a succesful club career in France.

"The world of sport in Mali and particularly football pass on their condolences to Salif Keita's family and also the Malian nation," the Malian football federation (FEMAFOOT) said on Twitter, which has been rebranded as 'X'.

Keita won the French league title three times with Saint-Etienne and French Cup on two occasions.

"The Black Panther has left us, taking a part of our club with him," Saint-Etienne said in a statement on social media.