December 31, 2007
Ghana teenage midfielder Andre Dede Ayew is pleading with the Ghana football authorities to retire Stephen Appiah’s number 10 jersey temporarily during the African Cup of Nations.
Appiah has been ruled out of the tournament that starts on 21 January after suffering complications following a knee surgery he had in June.
The captain’s astute leadership style seems to have won the hearts and minds of many and Dede is no exception.
“Capito is a special person for all the players in the national team and I think our recent successes can be attributed to him,” Dede said
“He serves his country as if his life depends on it and we the younger ones are learning from it too and that is what has made him the player he is today.
“I am pleading with the authorities not to use his jersey during the Nations Cup to show him that Ghanaians really appreciate the work he has done and that his jersey will be available anytime he wants.
“I think from this he will know how highly Ghanaians and his colleagues hold him and when this thing is done for him he will be very happy.
“Since I joined the Black Stars he has made every effort to make sure I feel part of the team by encouraging and advising me and I know this is how he has dealt with other players too.
“His absence is a blow to the country but we can?t fold our hands and do nothing. We will fight to bring glory to Appiah’s name.”
Appiah has been offered a role of an adviser and he is yet to publicly accept the offer by coach Claude Le Roy.
New Black Stars role for Appiah
Ghana coach Claude Le Roy is confident that injured captain Stephen Appiah can play a role to help the Black Stars win their fifth Nations Cup trophy.
Appiah, who has overseen his country’s revival with his astute leadership style, has been ruled out of next month’s tournament after suffering a complication following a surgery on his knee.
The Fenerbahce midfielder is his country’s most influential player and will be out of action for two months, denting the chances of Ghana winning the title.
Even though he will be absent during the tournament which starts on 20 January, coach Le Roy says Appiah can still help the country win the tournament in another role.
“Even without Stephen we’ll try to do our best to win the competition,” the Frenchman told BBC Sport.
“That’s why I want him to join us for our training camp and if possible to be with us during the tournament as well.
“We will use him as a special adviser because he can bring a lot to the team even without playing.”
Appiah will have travel with his medical team next month?s training tour in Dubai and the Nations Cup in Ghana if he accepts the offers.
source : soccernet
| COPYRIGHT © 2007-2011 Zamfoot Sports Agency. All rights reserved. |
