Stephen Appiah: 10 Biggest Regrets of Former Black Stars of Ghana Captain
- The legendary Ghanaian footballer did not reach his full potential in European club football despite his innate talent
- Stephen Appiah faced a terrible experience at Juventus following the 2004/05 Serie A season
- The former Ghana international didn't quite reach the success levels of players like Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari abroad
Stephen Appiah is a name that resonates deeply within the heart of Ghanaian football, revered for his leadership and instrumental role in guiding the Black Stars to their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2006.
Appiah's legacy as a footballer is unshakable. His influence both on and off the field remains unparalleled, and his status as one of Ghana's most iconic players is cemented.
Source: Getty Images
However, like many legendary athletes, his journey has not been without its share of regrets.
Below are the 10 biggest disappointments of Stephen Appiah, a man who gave so much to the beautiful game but also faced some low moments.
1. Failure to win the UEFA Champions League
Stephen Appiah's stint at Juventus in the early 2000s was a period of great promise, and the club boasted a squad filled with talent. However, despite being a key player in a team full of stars, Appiah never won the UEFA Champions League.
According to UEFA, Juventus were knocked out in the Round of 16 in the 2004/05 season, , and the following season, they exited in the quarter-finals. For a player of his caliber, this remains one of his biggest disappointments, especially when several Ghanaian talents such as Abedi Ayew, Michael Essien, and Sulley Muntari lifted the big trophy.
2. Revoked Serie A title
Appiah’s only Serie A title came in the 2004/05 season with Juventus, but it was short-lived. The infamous Calciopoli scandal, which rocked Italian football, led to the revocation of Juventus’ title that season.
According to Wikipedia, the scandal involved match-fixing allegations, and as a result, the club lost its championship and had to forfeit their standing. For Appiah, this was a bitter pill to swallow; a title won but taken away under such unfortunate circumstances.
3. Lack of top European move after Juventus
After leaving Juventus in 2005, Appiah, who owns a luxurious mansion in Accra, moved to Fenerbahçe in Turkey, which was a step down from the European giants that many expected him to join.
Given his skill and leadership abilities, it was thought that Appiah could have easily moved to one of the top clubs in Europe, such as AC Milan, Real Madrid, or Chelsea.
Unfortunately, his move to Turkey was seen as a significant shift, and this marked the beginning of a downward trajectory in his career.
From Fenerbahçe, Appiah went on to play for clubs like Bologna, Cesena, and Vojvodina, which were not at the same level of prestige as his previous European clubs.
Source: Getty Images
4. Failure to make the FIFPRO World XI
The FIFPRO World XI is a prestigious recognition, celebrating the best footballers in the world, voted by their peers.
Stephen Appiah, who recently delivered a motivational message to the Black Stars ahead of a crucial World Cup qualifier, never managed to make the World XI during his career in European football.
5. Lack of individual European awards
Another source of regret for the legendary Stephen Appiah is the fact that he never quite earned the individual recognition that some of his contemporaries received.
For example, his former Black Stars teammate Michael Essien was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year on three occasions, a significant achievement for any player in Europe. Appiah, on the other hand, did not have similar individual accolades, which might have added a sense of personal achievement to his already celebrated career.
6. Missed out on BBC African Player of the Year award
An added reason for disappointment for Stephen Appiah was never winning the BBC African Player of the Year award. A prestigious accolade that recognised the best African player in a given year, Appiah was hardly a contender.
Ghanaian football legends such as Abedi Ayew, Sammy Kuffour, Michael Essien, Andre Ayew, and Asamoah Gyan all won the award, but Appiah never had the same fortune. This missed recognition was a heartbreaker for the midfielder, who undoubtedly deserved such accolades for his remarkable contributions.
7. Failure to make CAF Team of the Year
Despite being an outstanding performer, Appiah was never included in the CAF (Confederation of African Football) Team of the Year. Ghanaian stars such as Essien, Gyan, and John Mensah made it multiple times, but Appiah’s name was never listed.
This omission, given his solid performances for both club and country, was a clear sign of how his exceptional talent sometimes went underappreciated on the African continent.
8. No senior international trophies
One of the most painful regrets of Appiah's career is the lack of international trophies with the Ghanaian national team. Despite being the captain of the Black Stars for many years and helping them qualify for their first-ever World Cup in 2006, Appiah never won any senior international titles with the team.
Although he won the 1995 FIFA U-17 World Cup, the pinnacle of success with the Black Stars remained elusive, and that gap in his collection of trophies is an unfortunate part of his legacy.
9. Stephen Appiah missed 2010 AFCON final
The 2010 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was one of the closest moments in Appiah’s career to winning an international title with Ghana.
However, injury kept him out of the tournament, and the Black Stars ultimately lost to Egypt in the final. This loss was heartbreaking for Appiah, as he had to watch his team fall short while he was sidelined.
10. Asamoah Gyan's missed penalty against Uruguay
Another regret that may weigh on Stephen Appiah is the missed opportunity during the 2010 World Cup quarterfinal against Uruguay. With Ghana awarded a crucial penalty in the 120th minute, Appiah, a substitute, was the first to seize the ball.
However, he handed it to Asamoah Gyan, Ghana's designated penalty taker at the South Africa 2010 tournament. Gyan's shot, which could have sent Ghana to the semifinals, struck the crossbar and was ultimately missed.
While Appiah has often avoided publicly discussing this moment, many believe he might still regret not taking the penalty himself, as it was a historic chance for Ghana.
Why Sammy Adjei failed abroad
YEN.com.gh earlier featured 10 reasons Sammy Adjei did not manage to reach his full potential overseas after leaving Accra Hearts of Oak.
The esteemed Ghanaian goalkeeper signed for Tunisian side Club Africain in 2004 before returning to the Ghana Premier League after just a season in the North African country.
Source: YEN.com.gh
