For every footballer, the moment they step onto the field in a major tournament is unforgettable.
For former Black Stars striker Kwesi Appiah, it was nothing short of surreal, as he recalled the moment he found out he was starting his first game for Ghana in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
Appiah’s fine form at Cambridge United and Reading caught the eye of Avram Grant, Ghana’s coach, in 2015, earning him his first call-up to the national team.
However, Appiah had to wait for his debut, as he was an unused substitute in Ghana’s first two games of the tournament.
He finally got his moment when he was substituted for Jordan Ayew in Ghana’s last group game against South Africa.
Ghana won 2-1 after late goals from John Boye and André Ayew completed a remarkable comeback.
The British-based Ghanaian striker had his full debut when Avram Grant handed him a starting berth in the quarterfinal game against Guinea.
In an interview with Football Park, the Boreham Wood forward revealed how he felt when he found out he was starting for the first time for Ghana.
“What Avram would do before we left to go to the game was the team talk at the hotel. So, obviously, we got to the hotel room, and the first picture that comes up is the starting lineup. I’m in it, and I can’t believe it. Honestly, I still can’t believe it – even now, I’m still transfixed looking over there because I can still see my picture on the lineup,” he said.
According to Appiah, he had been waiting for that opportunity, and in that moment, all he wanted was to justify his inclusion.
“I’m thinking, ‘This is it. This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for, and now I’ve got to show why I’ve been given this chance.’ And then—bang—I score my debut goal. Even now, my heart feels so warm thinking about that experience. It was the ultimate justification for my inclusion in the team. The coach put me in the starting lineup, and now I’m that guy,” he further stated.
Appiah went on to play four times in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, winning the silver medal after Ghana lost to Ivory Coast 8-9 on penalties. Overall, he earned seven caps for Ghana and scored one goal.
At 34, he still plays for Boreham Wood in the England National League and has already scored seven goals in eight games this season.
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