Appiah names Gyan, Muntari, Abedi in Ghana’s all-time best team

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Ex-Black Stars winger, Sulley Muntari, is among a number of famous footballers named by former Ghana coach, Kwasi Appiah, in his all-time best players.

Considered among one of the ‘bad boys’ of Ghana football, 35-year-old Muntari has often been blamed for his rebellious attitude in the Black Stars camp and his fiery character.

In fact it was Sulley’s rebellion against some Ghana Football Association (GFA) officials in camp during the 2014 FIFA WOrld Cup in Brazil, is considered as one of the factors that affected the team’s performance at the Mundial.

Muntari’s behavior led to his axing from the national team by Appiah with Kevin-Prince Boateng on the eve of Ghana’s group clash with Portugal. Despite those transgressions, Appiah considered the midfielder’s influence on the field in the selection of his all-time best team, as captured in the coach’s autobiography: Leaders Don’t Have to Yell.

In his book, Appiah described Muntari as extremely talented and aggressive on the pitch and one of the most passionate people he knows who was outspoken and did not hesitate to speak out his mind.

“He has been playing every game passionately until the final whistle. He plays different positions, attacks when necessary and defends when necessary. His left foot is his weapon and he’s used it in scoring some very crucial goals,” Appiah said of Muntari.

Richard Kingson got the nod in the goalkeeping role with former Asante Kotoko right-back Ernest Appau (Appiah’s teammate in the African Clubs Championship-winning side of 1983) named for the right-back.

Hearts of Oak legend, Offei Ansah got the left-back role with Samuel Osei Kuffour and John Mensah names as the best centre-backs.

Papa Arko, a teammate of Appiah and captain of Kotoko’s 1983 African Cup-winning side, was picked for the defensive midfield position alongside former Chelsea midfielder powerhouse, Michael Essien, and Kotoko legend, Samuel Opoku Nti in the team.

Ghana’s all-time leading goalscorer, Asamoah Gyan, who was embroiled in a spat with Appiah after he was stripped of the Black Stars captain armband, was named in the attacking lineup which includes former Ghana captains Stephen Appiah and Abedi Pele supporting from the heart of the field.

On the reserve bench will be Sulley Muntari, Anthony Yeboah, Harrison Afful, Frimpong Manso, and goalkeeper Sam Ampeh.

However, if the team will be expanded to 23 then he will include former Hearts great Nketia Yawson, Kofi Badu, Kwadwo Asamoah, Andre Ayew, John Paintsil, John Boye and Edward Ansah.

By: Graphic.com.gh