Former Ghana midfielder Derek Boateng praises Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah for inspiring his teammates both on the pitch and off it.
Boateng told Sporty FM that Appiah’s work ethic and authority were commendable, and his influence defined Ghana’s modern success.
Widely considered the greatest Black Stars captain, Appiah was the first to captain Ghana at a FIFA World Cup, in 2006.
Boateng said that Appiah led with actions, not just words.
“Stephen would never ask a young player to do anything he wouldn’t do himself on the field or in training. I remember watching him train, the way he ran and worked. I said to myself, ‘Look at my senior, how he’s running, how he’s playing.”
“I need to do more. I need to step up.’ Everything he asked us to do, he did it himself to show us we had no excuse. His leadership quality was amazing. When it was time to joke, we joked. When it was time for business, it was business.”
Appiah is now the deputy chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee.
