I never involved myself in player selections, says ex-Ghana captain Stephen Appiah

By Ameenu Shardow

Follow on Twitter @alooameenu

Stephen Appiah says he never involved himself in the decisions of player selections while he was captain of the Black Stars.

National team coaches in contemporary times are said to consult influential players in their side – especially captains – over the call ups of certain individuals.

The norm is even more prevalent ahead of major tournaments like the upcoming World Cup in Brazil.

Reports went rife over a speculated similar sort of consultation between Kwesi Appiah and Asamoah Gyan when the Ghana coach travelled to the UAE to visit his captain earlier this year.

But ex-Juventus man who led Ghana to World Cup qualification on two successive occasions said he stayed out of the area of player selections while he was captain of the side.

“No that never happened in my time; I never involved myself in player selection,” he told GHANAsoccernet.com.

“I always say that they are the coaches and we are training so they see things better than we do.

“Maybe I might know that Michael Essien is a better player than Kwadwo [Asamoah] but maybe Kwadwo is in good shape than Michael Essien so if the coaches are behind and watching the training they see things better than us so I always leave it to them.”

Stephen Appiah has been nominated by coach Kwesi Appiah to be part of his backrrom staff for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.