National team players must be committed – Stephen Appiah laments Ghana’s football woes

Stephen Appiah former Captain of the Black Stars, Stephen Appiah, has expressed concern about the commitment of the current crop of Black Stars players, which he believes has affected the team’s performance over recent years. 
 
The former Juventus midfielder highlighted these concerns during an appearance before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth and Sports, which was probing Ghana’s football decline following a massive demonstration in February 2024. 
 
According to Appiah, the current Black Stars team lacks a leader, and he emphasised the importance of players invited to the national team being devoted to the goal of achieving great results. 
 
“It is not only the captain, but players who come to the national team must be committed because you have a population of over 30 million and you have been selected, and it should be an honour. 
 
“So you have to know that you have been chosen to represent Ghana, and you have to do whatever you have to do to make it work.

For the past five years we have struggled, and we are not seeing things like that,” he said. 
 
Appiah, who qualified Ghana to its first World Cup in 2006, further argued that being a good captain does not mean winning matches but needs the collaboration of other players who are aiming towards a particular goal. 
 
He also encouraged the government to invest more money in the football fraternity, with a focus on the young national team and women’s football. 
 
Appiah further noted that players who perform well in qualification matches are not given the opportunity to compete in the main competition, which he believes does not foster team unity. 
 
The Parliamentary Select Committee, chaired by Mr Kobena Mensah Woyome, is due to meet with more important stakeholders in sports to change Ghana football’s fortunes.