Stephen Appiah: Definition of a national hero

I never met former American football player and Coach Jimmy Johnson, but one of his famous quotes, a simple yet profound one has always stuck with me. Johnson says “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” Well, that should be obvious, shouldn’t it? However, in a society filled with enormous pressures and limitations, not everyone does “extra”. I may never have met Johnson but I have met one Ghanaian hero, one whose willingness to do “extra” has provided innumerable moments of joy, hope and pride. That man is ex-Ghana captain Stephen Appiah. On the eve of his testimonial at the Accra Sports Stadium on June 27, 2015, I can’t help but celebrate a Ghanaian icon whose imprints transcended the football pitch and pitched tents in Ghanaian hearts. Like a photo album, his career has been a collage of special memories that started 20 odd years ago.

The Leader

In 1995, Just before the World U17 Championship in Ecuador, I remember clearly the buzz about a prodigious talent; a boy who was going to be the next big thing. Close followers of the local youth leagues known as the “colts” were already in on the big secret, having seen Appiah, born December 24, 1980, hone his talent with Mighty Victory colts team. That frail looking boy, spotting a skyscraper like punk haircut, eventually made the national U17 team, the Black Starlets squad to the 1995 U17 World Cup. Though he featured in only one game at that tourney, which Ghana won, the exposure bolstered young Appiah’s confidence. He returned to Ghana and immediately set the local scene alive with his breathtaking performances in attacking midfield for Accra Hearts of Oak. His technique and passing range set him apart from his peers. Soon, Italian club Udinese came calling in 1997 and Appiah knew no stopping from there. Parma, Brescia, Juventus and a host of Italian clubs is what you will find on Appiah’s CV. His defining season was at Brescia where Appiah played alongside Roberto Baggio and Pep Guardiola in the 2002/2003 season. After making 31 appearances and scoring 7 goals that season, Appiah transferred to Juve in the summer of 2003. At Juve, Appiah’s career took a another defining turn when he was converted to a defensive midfielder, a position he excelled in till his second season when he lost his place to Manuele Blasi upon his return from the 2004 Athens Olympics. Naturally, Appiah in search of more playing opportunities moved to Turkish giants Fenerbahçe in 2005. He helped Fenerbahçe to the Turkish League and Super Cup trophies and was voted footballer of the year in Turkey. So remarkable was his impact that till this very day, Turks always use him as a reference point when they come across Ghanaian nationals.

A decent club career Appiah may have had, but for Ghanaians the enduring moments about Appiah, who was appointed captain of Ghana’s national team, the Black Stars in 2002, were those moments of him in national colours. Be it the flamboyant Appiah spotting ginger hair and doing tricks and flicks at the 1997 World Youth Championships in Malaysia, or the clean shaven Appiah leading Ghana by scoring two goals in a 3-0 victory over South Africa that pretty much set the tone for Ghana’s first ever World Cup qualification in 2006, or the Appiah who celebrated with so much passion after scoring the winner versus the USA to power Ghana into the knockout phase at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the memories have been many indeed. But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing; Appiah had his fair share of personal challenges.

The Overcomer

When in 2000 Parma paid top dollar to price Appiah away from Udinese, that transaction almost fell through. While doing his medicals, it was discovered that Appiah was affected by a viral Hepatitis. Appiah however fought off the ailment and eventually signed for Parma. Then in 2007, on the eve of the 2008 AFCON in Ghana, Appiah was dealt another blow. What was supposed to be a routine knee surgery earlier that year almost turned fatal. It was reported that Appiah developed breathing difficulties after the surgery but his team doctors misdiagnosed it as asthma and treated it as such. However upon further tests in Italy, it was discovered that Appiah had rather developed blood clots in his left leg after the surgery, which later developed into micro embolisms. Consequently Appiah could only watch from the sidelines as the Black Stars finished 3rd at the 2008 AFCON on home soil. Appiah put the physical and emotional strain behind him and after over a year out recuperating, he returned and signed for Italian club Bologna in 2009 after unsuccessful trials with Tottenham Hotspurs and Rubin Kazan. He would go on to play for another Italian club, Cesena and then Serbian club Vojvodina, but Appiah wasn’t the same. The knee injury took its toll and Appiah could only muster a handful games. But the man fans love to call “il Capitano” and “Tornado” didn’t give up easily and against all odds made Ghana’s squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where his leadership skills came in handy forestalling a potential camp bust up as Ghana marched on to the quarters. That was the last time Appiah was seen in a Ghana shirt, but it was also the perfect stage to call time on his illustrious international career after 68 games and 17 goals.

The Man

The trajectory of Appiah’s football career may have gone south after his knee injury but it didn’t take anything away from Appiah the man; Appiah the family man; Appiah the humanitarian. He has been blessed with 4 kids with his wife Hanna, who he met at the Starlets camp in 1995 when she visited her brother, ex Starlets captain Emmanuel Bentil. Appiah has also kept his ties to Chorkor, where he grew up, using funding from his StepApp Foundation and its clothing line to set up a Community Library and Mother & Child Center for the people of Chorkor in 2010. And of course Appiah also takes care of himself too; do not be surprised to see him looking fit dapper in stylish clothing (must be the Italian influence). Whichever side of Appiah best resonates with you; whether it’s the footballer and leader, the overcomer, the humanitarian or “the fashionista”, one thing is for sure, Appiah is just your guy next door who does the “little extra” to provide special memories. Those images, unlike ones in photo albums will be saved, not on paper, not on hard drives, but in our hearts, where they wouldn’t fade. For all the special memories, we simply say: Thank you Mr. Stephen Leroy Appiah!

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