GFA now ignores ex-players like us - Stephen Appiah

Former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah says the Ghana Football Association now ignores ex-national players like himself.

Speaking via phone on GTV Sports Programme Stage Africa, he told show host Jerry Kwame Ayensu that since he retired from playing for the Black Stars, he has not received a single call from the GFA.


“Since I left the Black Stars, nobody from the GFA has called me even once and for ex-national players like us, they behave as if we no longer exist.”


Appiah, who captained Ghana to her first ever World Cup in 2006, also lamented that the situation makes it difficult for him and other ex-national players to travel to support the Black Stars during tournaments, especially the ongoing 2013 African Nations Cup in South Africa, adding that he would not force himself on the GFA due to his pride.

“If no one calls me, it will be difficult for me to go to them and say I want to travel to support and inspire the Black Stars. After all, I have my pride to protect. Other national teams have their ex-players around them like Nigeria, but for us, we are largely ignored.”


Stephen Appiah also played in the 2010 World Cup and has represented Ghana at every level, from Black Starlets to the Black Stars; scoring 16 goals in 69 matches for Ghana.