Boreham Wood striker Kwesi Appiah has opened up about the excitement and emotions that marked his time with Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars, particularly during their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign under head coach Avram Grant.
In an interview with Flashscore, Appiah recalled his initial call-up and the overwhelming experience of joining a squad filled with established stars:
“Arriving at camp with the national team and rubbing shoulders with the big stars, not just of Ghanaian football but African football as a whole, was jaw-dropping at times and a lot of pinch-myself moments.”
Appiah admitted he felt both exhilarated and anxious upon meeting his new teammates. However, he quickly settled in thanks to the warm reception he received:
“I remember being excited but also very nervous to meet the rest of the players. Once we went down to train and I met many of the players, I immediately felt settled, and that’s credit to all the players who were there as they made me feel very welcome and part of the family.”
Although Appiah did not feature in Ghana’s first two group matches, he finally made his debut in the final group-stage clash against South Africa, replacing Jordan Ayew. The moment, he says, was a dream come true:
“The call-up itself was great, but putting on that shirt for the first time and gracing the pitch with my teammates was euphoric and a dream come true.”
Appiah went on to make four appearances in the tournament, helping Ghana reach the final, where they narrowly lost to Ivory Coast in a dramatic 8-9 penalty shootout. By the end of his international career, he had earned seven caps for the Black Stars and scored one goal.
