Appiah; The "Roger Milla" Of Black Stars, Needed In South Africa For A Reason

The only element of the all conquering Equador 95 squad of the Black Starlets still active in football, Stephen Appiah has carved a special image for himself which must not be glossed over even as Ghana prepares to take the world by storm in the next edition of the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010.

It is very heartwarming to see the ‘Tornado’ lacing his boot one more time for club football; the tornado is back with a bang.

Bologna is certainly not unfamiliar to the player who has spent a larger part of his career in Italy. For those who think he is finished, I think we need to exercise some patience and behold what awaits the player whose exceptional leadership role on the field took Ghana to her first ever World cup and now it’s the second berth in South Africa 2010 as we continue to count.

It looks the most likely of all phenomena for the next world cup to be Appiah’s swansong. Oh yeah! I think he wants to bow out on a high note and in grand style. The kind of experience, confidence and self belief he can impart to his colleagues during the next mundial, cannot be overemphasized and it is this fact that keeps me wondering why there have been incessant calls for him to be excluded from the squad on grounds of fitness.

All must appreciate the point that the current club of Stephen Appiah, Bologna FC, is not senseless to add him to their squad if they don’t know what he is still capable of doing. Whatever you think about him, Appiah possesses certain qualities so integral to the prospect of Ghana getting far in the next world cup and its imperative those traits are effectively harnessed for the success of the entire nation.

Just like Cameroun in the 1994 world cup in USA when Rogor Milla could have been labeled in Ghana as an old dead horse, the Cameroonians kept faith in him and he virtually rose to become the source of inspiration to the team, albeit they could not advance from their group after striker Oleg Solenko of Russia had humiliated and torn the Indomitable Lions apart!

Hmm...that’s a paradox of a sort but truly the Lions crushed out.

Even when Russia scored six past Cameroon, Milla, well remembered for his special ‘celebration dance’ at the corner post, came on and pulled a goal back to save his nation some blushes. Experience can be priceless and surely the story could have been different if the willing soul of the legendary Milla had been supported by his failing body. He was used sparingly but he proved to the whole world why Africa regarded him the greatest player of the century in the year 2000.

In our case, Appiah 28, is not as old as Roger Milla was when he played at the world cup. The Ghanaian captain is lucky to be alive after some series of surgical operations on his knee nearly halted his presence on the field. Maybe there were complications during those surgical operations since it has nagged him for too long but that’s the brave man's fate. I’m sure God kept him alive for a purpose and who knows if South Africa would be glorious for the 1995 under 17 world cup winner.

It doesn’t matter how much playing time he gets at the tournament; it was seen in 2008 as Ghana hosted the Nations Cup tournament. Though he was sidelined with injury, he was the heart and soul of the team inspiring them throughout the tournament.

Admittedly, the player is about hanging his boot after over 20 years of football with almost 12 years in European leagues and seriously, the widespread sentiments his strength cannot cover the entire duration of play is obviously worth the call. Stephen knows it’s not the same as how he used to run 90 minutes in his days with Udinese, Parma, Juventus, Brescia (Italian clubs) and Fenebache of Turkey .

Now just follow this; Fabrice Akwa was a hero for Angola in their first ever world cup qualification but had no club when the Palancas Negras went to Germany 2006 yet he featured for good reasons he justified; Dwight Yorke led the Trindad and Tobago (T&T ) at the last world cup when he was having torrid times with Man Utd’s Alex Ferguson and I wonder if you have an idea the great Paulo Wanchope came to the world cup with the Ticos of Costa Rica in 2006 and scored twice in the opening match against Germany when club football was almost over for the striker. Germany won the match 4-2 anyway.

Our own case cannot be different as the ‘il Capitano’ Appiah needs prayers and support of all to end his career on a bright note.

"World Cup Draw"

Away from the captain, there is a point worth the hammer and that is, the Black Stars have to grow and need to do so as early as possible with the draw for the world’s greatest sporting event already scheduled to take place on Friday 4th December in the rainbow nation South Africa.

As every body waits with bated breath for the event, the question we need to ask ourselves is, are we ready for the World Cup?

If you want know my opinion, I can tell you that Ghana is not there yet if the aim of going to South Africa is to make an impact.

Without question, there exist quality players in abundance for the head coach to choose from to complement what he has now. My statement cannot be far fetched as it’s possible for Coach Milovan Rajevac to find players to augment what he has identified as a problematic left back.

In Ghana’s friendly game recently against Angola, Lee Arday of Bechem Chelsea played a yeoman’s role at the left back and the earlier he gave the young chap the confidence and positive thought to deliver the better it will be for the team. I cannot tell whether coach Milovan was advised against calling Hans Adu Sarpei for whatever reason unimportant to me, but it gladdens my heart he has started considering giving the Bayer Leverkusen defender a chance.

I keep saying the centre back of the Black Stars is not yet as well-knit as people think. Again, that lethal striker must be found before the world cup and definitely there is one somewhere for Ghana and if it can be found in Adiyiah, so be it.

Unto a nation waiting to see her group opponents at next year’s world cup on Friday I say good luck and may Appiah and his colleagues get a favourable draw.

Source: Yaw Osagyefo Anaman/Peacefmonline/Ghana