Former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah says Kwasi Appiah becoming coach of the senior national team came as a little surprise to him because it is something he had predicted.
According to Stephen, he told Kwasi, who was then assistant to coach Milovan Rajevac during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa that he would one day get the opportunity to manage the team.
The former Fenerbahçe star recalls he made the prediction after one of Ghana's games at the World Cup where the Black Stars team came agonizingly close to becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals.
Kwasi Appiah was appointed Black Stars coach for two stints. His first stint was between 2012 and 2014 while the second which lasted for two and a half years ended in December last year.
"After one of our games at the World Cup, we were going [back to the hotel] in the team bus and I saw coach [Kwasi Appiah] so happy. So I told him that in the future, you would be the coach of the Black Stars and I know that you would do well," Stephen Appiah recounted on Joy FM.
"He [Kwasi Appiah] was like don't worry if I become the coach you would be part of my technical team and it came to pass."
Stephen was part of Kwasi's backroom staff along with Maxwell Konadu, Richard Kingson and Ibrahim Tanko in the second stint. Stephen worked as the team's technical coordinator.
Stephen explained that his appointment as technical coordinator was not as a result of his prediction but Kwasi knew he possessed the qualities needed for the position.
"He [Kwasi Appiah] has been in camp with me. He knows the relationship I have with the players so when he was appointed as coach of the Black Stars he called me and said the moment has come for me to be part of the technical team," he said.
According to Stephen, he enjoyed a great working relationship with Kwasi in the two and a half years.
"We worked hand in hand. Everything was very cool in camp. He[Kwasi Appiah] is a type who listens, he is the type whose doors are open when you have a suggestion you can go to him and talk to him about it," Stephen said.
Asked whether there was a time he disagreed with Kwasi? Stephen responded: "No No.. at the end of the day, he is the boss so you will give him your suggestion or opinion but at the end of the day, he has to take the final decision. I never ever had any problem with him in camp."
Kwasi Appiah was replaced by Charles Akonnor.
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