Celebrated former Ghana captain Stephen Appiah will later today bring the curtain down on what has been an illustrious football career spanning two decades.

Appiah, who qualified Ghana to her maiden appearance at the senior FIFA World Cup in 2006 is expected to be joined by some of the most accomplished footballers of his generation at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday for a farewell game.

There was a colorful fund raising dinner at the Banquet Hall of the State house on Friday.

Big football stars such as Yaya Toure, Samuel Eto, George Weah, Drogba, Del Piero and many others have all confirmed their participation, according to organizers of the event, Primeval Media.

In a statement announcing the retirement earlier in January, Appiah said he was retiring with “a great measure of fulfillment”.

He added: “I wish this day never came because football was life- my life. It made me whole.”

A star studded Stephen Appiah XI made up of Richard Olele Kingson, LaryeaKingson, John Paintsil, Micheal Essien, SulleyMuntari, Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Samuel Eto’Ó Fils, Roberto Baggio, Nigel Dejong and George Boateng.

Peter Ofori Quaye, Godwin Attram, Emmanuel Adebayor will play, too, against the Black Stars in a Testimonial match aimed at honouring Appiah after calling time off his career.

In related development, rates for the game have been released. Organisers of the Stephen Appiah Testimonial Match, Primeval Media have released the rates for the match fixed for Saturday, June 27, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

A statement from Communications Directorate said, the Popular Stand will go for GHS 10.00, with the Osu Stand going for GHS 20.00.
According to the statement, the VIP Lower will go for GHS 30.00, whilst the VIP Upper will go for GHS 50.00 with VVIP going for GHS 100.00.

The dinner

Samuel Eto'o (above, pictured with Appiah) made a $50,000 donation to the Appiah Foundation at the State House during the plush dinner while Asamoah Gyan gave $60,000.

Business Chedar offered 100,000 cedis ($23,000) and a younger brother of President Mahama gave 50,000 cedis ($12000).

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