Kwesi Appiah’s shocking revelation about Rawlings

A member of the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations winning team, James Akwasi Appiah, has shared how former President John Jerry Rawlings awarded them.

Recounting events during and after the tournament, he said the former president promised the team big things, but failed to honour his promises.

He said all that the Black Stars received after winning the tournament was a Presidential salute.

“President Rawlings sent a telegram to commend the team and encouraged us to strive to win the final match,” Coach Appiah said in his book.

He continued: “If we [the players] win the trophy, our children and their children would come and enjoy the reward that we are going to receive upon our return.”

He added that Mr Rawlings later reneged on his promise, saying: “The nation was going through difficult times and there was not much that could be given to us [players] in terms of monetary reward. However, he offered us a salute in appreciation of our accomplishment.”

Coach Appiah said he and the other players were disappointed by the turn of events but couldn’t dare to question the military leader.

The former Black Stars coach’s recently launched book ‘Leaders Don’t Have To Yell’ discusses the life, career and experiences of coach Appiah as a player and as a coach.

The 400-page book is a leadership memoir in which he shares his account of key events during his playing days and his two stints as coach of Ghana.

He failed to make a single appearance during the tournament in Libya.

Despite his two-time stay as the head coach of the Black Stars, he also failed to win Africa’s prestigious tournament.