Appiah advocates review of how senior players are phased out from Black stars

Former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah is urging Ghana football authorities to carefully consider how key players are phased out from the national team.

Appiah, who retired after the 2010 World Cup at the age of 29, has revealed that many players are dissatisfied with how they were excluded from the team, highlighting an area of concern for the authorities.

While Appiah acknowledges that the decision ultimately lies with the coach, he advises that it be approached with extra caution.

He emphasises that players who have sacrificed for the nation might feel hurt by how they are treated, especially as they near the end of their careers.

“This has been an age-old problem. When you meet Osei Kofi and others, you can see how bitter they are. Then it came to Abedi and others, the Kuffours, and then ours. It is all about how you communicate with the player. Some players are senior players who have contributed a lot, experienced, know the team a lot more, and just removing them hurts. That is why some leave bitter. We are different, but we have to try and manage it well, and that is why we have issues,” Appiah explained.

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He continued, “It is about how we manage it. Maybe we let some of the players feel like without them nothing will happen. Players too, we are like women. We want to be pampered, so when we get used to certain things, we think we must get it at all costs. It is all about how you handle it.”

Appiah’s comments come as the Black Stars prepare to begin camping on Thursday, ahead of their travel to Bamako in Mali next week for a crucial clash on June 6. They will then return to Kumasi to face the Central African Republic.

The Black Stars currently sit fourth in Group I of the CAF World Cup qualifiers, trailing behind Comoros, Mali, and Madagascar. With the team in a precarious position, the management of senior players could play a pivotal role in their qualification campaign.

The post Appiah advocates review of how senior players are phased out from Black stars first appeared on 3News.

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