Focus On The Black Stars And Forget About Ex-Players Intimidation � Stephen Appiah

Former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah has appealed to the media and the general public to put behind his and other ex-players frustration at the Baba Yara Stadium last Sunday during Ghana�s crucial World Cup qualifier against Sudan. The Ghana Ministry of Sports lined up some former internationals including the former Juventus man who led Ghana to two successive World Cup appearances to motivate the Black Stars squad ahead of their 4-0 drubbing over Sudan. Stephen Appiah was terrorized by security personnel when he tried to enter the VIP lounge at the Baba Yara Stadium to support his fellow former team mates. Officials at the lounge intervened to prevent further embarrassment but the security personnel stood his ground causing Appiah to deciding to leave the Stadium for his child�s birthday party which he abandoned to motivate the Black Stars player. It took the intervention of Asante Kotoko financier Kennedy Agyapong and sports journalist Yaw Ampofo-Ankrah to talk the former Fenerbah�e man into rescinding his decision to leave the stadium. Speaking to Asylum Down based Happy FM; Stephen Appiah stated that the unfortunate incident must be put to rest so as the players will rather be celebrated for their dazzling performance last Sunday. �We should laud the boys (the Black Stars players) for the massive victory last Sunday. We shouldn�t use this unfortunate incident to overshadow their victory. I am pleading with the media and the entire country to please forget about this and rather motivate the guys for their good work done. The qualification is not over yet; the players will be worried if attention is shifted from their win to our (ex-players) incident. The media should please cease this issue. ��these are reasons why I don�t go to the stadium. I don�t go to the stadium because someone will just envy you for nothing, but I believe they (the security) cannot also treat Razak and Bandah (both ex-players) like that, very bad,� he lamented. However, Stephen �Capitano� Appiah was pleased with the performance exhibited by the Black Stars and hailed the new call ups for their dedication to the country. �I was really happy with what I saw on Sunday, we have the three points and that is the most important thing. The inclusion of the new boys is bringing a bit of competition in the team because they are also talented. We hope to win all remaining matches to qualify,� he said.