Stephen Appiah was a part of the Ghanaian squad that won the 1995 FIFA U-17 World Championship after beating Brazil 3-2 in the final.
He made his senior international debut on his 16th birthday, coming on as a substitute for Abedi ‘Pele’ Ayew during a match between Ghana and Benin in 1996.
Appiah captained Ghana in their first ever World Cup tournament in 2006 and also captained the team at the 2010 World Cup. A midfielder, he made 67 international appearances and scored 14 goals.
At club level, he began his career at Ghanaian club Hearts Of Oak, winning the league in 1996-97. He later moved to Italy where he played for the likes of Udinese, Parma, Brescia and Juventus before leaving for Fenerbahce in Turkey.
Appiah won the Coppa Italia with Parma, the Supercoppa Italiana with Juventus and both the Turkish Super Lig and Super Cup with Fenerbahce.
He retired in 2012 after struggling with injuries.
Credit: Football Kitchen
