Appiah ends illustrious career before thousands of soccer fans

Former Black Stars skipper Stephen Appiah last Saturday capped his testimonial match with a goal in a 2-2 drawn game between Appiah XI and the Black Stars.

His sublime free kick left goalkeeper Ernest Sowah wrong-footed as the about 30,000 fans in the stands were thrilled by the brilliant display of footwork not only from Appiah but his teammates including Laryea Kingson, Samuel Eto'o and Emmanuel Adebayor.

The fan base had a rich array of dignitaries including former Ghana Presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor as well as President John Dramani Mahama who took the ceremonial kick.

Appiah and his family were ushered onto the pitch by a guard of honour mounted by both teams where he thanked Ghanaians for their support throughout his 20-year football career.

Emmanuel Agyemang Badu was first to threaten the Appiah XI in the early minutes but Richard Kingson narrowed the angle before a collision with Majeed Waris which left him injured and was replaced by Sammy Adjei.

Both sides focused on entertaining the crowd instead of scoring which left very limited chances being created in the game.

The two sides made a number of substitutions including President Mahama's son, Sharaf Mahama who came in for Appiah XI.
Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan meandered through the Appiah XI defence to equalise, before his senior brother, Baffour Gyan, increased the tally.

Ben Acheampong later equalised for the Black Stars before the game was brought to an end.