Appiah launches testimonial match

A galaxy of  past and present football stars, as well as football administrators and fans, are expected to converge at the Accra Sports Stadium on June 27 to pay tribute to former Black Stars captain, Stephen Leroy Appiah, when he calls time on his illustrious career with a testimonial game.

Speaking at the launch of the event held last Monday at the Accra International Conference Centre, Appiah disclosed that the testimonial, which would be preceded by a dinner on June 29 at the Banquet Hall, would feature his former teammates.

He said, "since taking the difficult decision to end my football career which has taken me from the sandy pitches of Indadfa Park at Mamprobi in Accra to the grassy green field of Turin, Italy, where my career blossomed to Vojvodina, where I ended my European career, I have been looking for this moment to end it all”.

He also indicated that he had extended invitations to his former teammates and friends to participate in the testimonial game.

"I have extended invitations to my former playmates from Udinese to Brescia, Parma, Juventus and Fernabache, as well as my other teammates from the Black Stars. The feedback was great and I am pleased to inform you they are willing to come down and support”, he added.

He said the proudest moment of his career was captaining the Black Stars, hence the decision to invite current and former players of the national team to participate in the match.

The president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Kwesi Nyantakyi, joined a legion of speakers at the event, including the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr Ahmed  Mustapha, and former GFA boss, Nana Sam Brew Butler in eulogising Appiah.

Mr Nyantakyi described Appiah as an individual who gave his all for his nation to the extent of playing with injuries for the Black Stars.

He also advised the ex-Black Stars captain to take up other challenges in football, adding that he would be welcomed as an administrator or coach by the football fraternity.

Dr Mustapha lauded Appiah for leading Ghana to her first ever FIFA World Cup participation in 2006, a feat he said contributed to the development of Ghana football.

Appiah, 34, made 67 appearances for the Black Stars, scoring 14 goals before announcing his retirement on January 14 this year.