Ghana's inspirational captain Stephen Appiah has thanked his Black Stars colleague and best friend Michael Essien for his support and kind words in a recent interview. In an interview for his own website www.michaelessiengh.com, Michael praised Stephen for his contribution to the Black Stars, his charitable work, and asked Ghanaians to support him at all times. The pair who have been colleagues and friends for many years talk every week according to Michael and both have recently suffered bad injuries with Michael returning from injury over a month ago. Speaking to the StepApp.com team, Stephen was pleased and thankful to Essien. "Michael and I are very close and all I can say is thank you Michael for your kind words and encouragement," Appiah said. "Its true we talk every week about a lot of things and Michael keeps encouraging me. It was the same when he got injured initially. I encouraged him a bit as well. "When we talk, we also discuss the Black Stars and how we are going to take the nation to the next World Cup. "Obviously it will be a team effort but with us being senior players its important our desire is as strong as any other. "I read his interview on his website and I was on the phone to him straight away to thank him. Not many people will do what he has done and I am eternally grateful. "By the way I beat him in a game of pool again when we went to Ghana recently so I think its official that I am better than him and I always remind him every week. I am now leading 2 – 0," Appiah concluded. Stephen is currently in Brescia training with them as he seeks to sort out his future. With the Mali and Sudan games coming up he wants to be in tip top shape so that if he is called up he will be in a position to deliver as usual. Source: Ghanasoccernet