Appiah still in Ghana plans - Ghana FA boss

Ghana captain Stephen Appiah will continue to play a key role for the Black Stars with the World Cup approaching, Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi has revealed.

The Bologna midfielder's absence in Wednesday friendly against Bosnia has cast a doubt over the future of the influential playmaker in the team.

He missed the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Angola because of a hamstring injury but was expected to play in the international friendly as he recovered to be considered for selection by the Serie A side.

Appiah was twice named in Bologna's first 18 team over the past three weeks raising hopes that he will play the game in Sarajevo.

He was excluded from Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac's team which sparked the suspicion that he has been permanently dropped from the team.

But Ghana FA boss says the captain was invited for the game in Sarajevo but a knock he suffered in training with Bologna prevented him from returning to the Black Stars.

"Captain Stephen Appiah is still a key player for us," Nyantakyi said on local radio station Asempa FM.

"He was invited for the Bosnia game but a knock he had in training prevented him from coming.

"He has made good progress on the injury front and was even on the verge of making his Bologna debut. He is still key to the team."

Appiah has not played for the club since joining them on a free transfer in November and the recent knock prevented him from making his debut.

The 29-year-old's availability is expected to add creativity to the Black Stars midfield at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Appiah joined Fenerbahce in 2005 from Italian giants Juventus after winning the country's league title that season.

His decision to leave Juventus ended his seven-year stay in Italy after earlier spells with Udinese, Parma and Brescia.