I haven't retired but won't play football again - Appiah

Ex-Ghana captain, Stephen Appiah, has revealed even though he is yet to officially announce his retirement from professional football, he is done playing the sport actively.

Appiah has not played active football since ending a short-term deal at Serbian side Vojvodina two years ago.

There have been speculations that the ex-Juventus midfielder would return to the game due to financial difficulties. At age 34, it is seen as early retirement for the talented midfielder who was sidelined for close to two years due to a career-threatening knee injury.

But speaking on Morning Starr on the occasion of his 34th birthday, Appiah said he is unlikely to play football again.

“I don’t think I would play again; I am not saying I have retired, but I won’t play again,” Appiah told host Kafui Dey on Starr 103.5FM.

The former Fenerbahce, Parma and Brescia star said he will now focus on becoming a coach to help in the development of Ghana football.

Asked whether coaching was his next focus, Appiah answered “yes” adding that “when the time comes I would let you know”.

At the just ended World Cup finals in Brazil, the Ghana legend was part of the Black Stars technical team. Appiah captained the West African nation at their debut World Cup appearance in Germany 2006.

He quit international football after playing a bit-part role at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa after making 67 caps and scoring 14 goals.

Appiah is one of the few Ghanaian players who have played for all the national teams.