Appiah’s quest for a renaissance: is it the first?

When Stephen Appiah made his not-so-triumphant re-entry into the Black Stars last Wednesday, many thought it was the first time a sports star has sought to woo back fans – and the record books.

Not so.

A quick look at history shows that there have been several others before the Tornado.

His was just the latest in a series of comebacks of former champions and icons who found the temptation for further glory too good to resist. These are some of the former greats who have had another crack at more success with varied results.

Lance Armstrong

The combative seven-time Tour de France champion couldn't resist another tilt at the greatest cycling race in the world and duly announced his return to the sport last year at the age of 37. He defied the skeptics to produce a typically aggressive and competitive ride in this year's edition and finished a highly commendable third behind his Astana team-mate Alberto Contador.

The Texan and the Spaniard then exchanged less than complimentary words with Armstrong acidly remarking 'there is no I in team'. That duel reminded me of Sulley Muntari’s mum.

Next year's race promises to be an even greater spectacle as Armstrong has decamped to the Radioshack team run by his mentor and close friend Johan Bruyneel.

Alain Prost

After Prost was left without a drive following Ferrari's decision to release the Frenchman for the 1992 season, he returned to the circuit one year later at the wheel of a Williams-Renault. He then went on to lift a fourth drivers championship before leaving the track for good.

Michael Jordan

After a brief and modest spell in baseball's minor leagues, "Air Jordan" came back to the basketball court following a 17-month spell away from the game between 1993 and 1995. The man many regard as the greatest ever to play the game led his former club, the Chicago Bulls to three more NBA titles.

Muhammad Ali

The man simply known as "The Greatest" retired from the ring after regaining his world title from Leon Spinks on September 15, 1978. After two years on the sidelines, he re-laced his gloves at the age of 39 but was badly beaten by world champion Larry Holmes who stopped Ali in the 11th round in October 1981.

George Foreman

Olympic champion in 1968 at the age of 19 in Mexico City, Foreman went on to become world champion five years later when he defeated Joe Frazier. The future preacher went on to lose his belt to arch rival Mohammed Ali one year later in the legendary 'Rumble in the Jungle' in what was then Zaire - now the Democratic Republic of Congo - but after some 12 years out of the fight game, he stunned the world of boxing when he floored Michael Moore in 1994 at the age of 45. One of the hardest punchers in the game, he remains the oldest ever boxing world champion.

Pele

The brilliant Brazilian quit the game of football in 1974 after a glorious career at Santos and the rare achievement of lifting three World Cups with the South American giants. Six months later, he was coaxed out of retirement by the New York Cosmos and won the now defunct North American title alongside such fellow greats as Franz Beckenbauer.

Dara Torres

The champion of coming out of retirement, Torres quit twice only to return to the pool for the Beijing Games in 2008 at the age of 41. The American proved to the world, she was still a force to be reckoned with by winning three silvers in the 50m free, 4x100m free and 4x100m medley to take her career tally to 12 Olympic medals.

Torres also took part at the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Games before returning to the starting blocks at Sydney 2000 and winning five medals. Following the Australian Olympiad she continued her education, gave birth to a baby girl Tessa, in 2006, before announcing her second return to competition a few months later.

Lester Piggott

The greatest jockey of his generation, who won nine Epsom Derbys among many other major races, and was champion jockey 11 times. Retired in 1985 to take up training but was jailed in 1987 for three years for tax evasion only to return to the saddle on his release aged 55 and showed the 'long fellow's' talents remained as he guided Royal Academy to the Breeders Cup Mile for his old retainer Dr Vincent O'Brien and added another classic through Rodrigo de Triano in the 1992 English 2000 Guineas before retiring for a final time in 1994.

Katarina Witt

The East German pin-up girl won it all in a glittering career that featured two Olympic golds, four world titles and six European crowns. She quit the ice as a competitive skater in 1988 at just 23 but returned six years later for the 1994 Games at Lillehammer.

Despite high expectations, she could only manage seventh place. Turned her hand at an eyecatching nude photo display in Playboy in December 1998 - the then second most sold out issue since Marilyn Monroe appeared in their first ever edition. However it was also revealed that she had co-operated fully with the notorious East German secret police the Stasi.

Jayne Torvill - Christopher Dean.

The mythical British ice dancing pair captured the world's attention with their sublime interpretation to Ravel's Bolero in 1984 which gave them gold and world glory. Ten years later, they teamed up again to compete at the Lillehammer Games at the age of 35 and 36 respectively. Despite only winning bronze, they remain etched in figure skating folklore while Dean went on to become a brilliant choreographer.

Bjorn Borg

Stunned the sporting world when he retired at just 25 after hitting the peaks of tennis. Borg won six French Open titles and five Wimbledon crowns before hanging up his Donnay racquet for the first time. Made a doomed comeback in the early 90's when he tried the absurd idea of continuing with a wooden racquet. He never won another match in 10 miserable tournaments.

Martina Navratilova

The Czech-born American quit the courts in 1994 at the age of 38 after winning 18 individual Grand Slam titles. She remained out of the game for six years before making a successful return in the doubles game. Navratilova won three more Grand Slam titles, including the mixed doubles at Australia and Wimbledon in 2003 with India's Leander Paes and the US Open in 2006 with Bob Bryan, just weeks ahead of her 50th birthday.

Martina Hingis

Cursed by injuries, the temperamental 'Swiss Miss' was forced into early retirement at just 23 in 2003. Three years later the former world number one was back and played two seasons winning three individual tournaments and the Australian Open mixed crown, alongside India's Mahesh Bhupathi. Her comeback was brought to a premature end when she tested positive for cocaine in 2007 during Wimbledon.

So you see, the Tornado is very much a part of this list. What remains to be seen is if he can make what would be one of the best returns to form we’ve seen in years.

Ghana - Mali WCQ: Mind games begin (3)

Ghana captain Stephen Appiah is confident the Black Stars will beat Mali on Sunday to enhance their chances of reaching their second successive World Cup.

The 28-year-old, who has been excused from national team duties, has called his national team colleagues in Bamako to encourage them ahead of the crucial clash.

Appiah was left out of the squad because of a pressing family problem but after talking to his colleagues, the enforcer insists Ghana will be victorious.

“I have spoken to Michael (Essien) and some of the guys. They will definitely be giving it their best without a doubt and are going out there for the win,” Appiah said on his personal website www.stepapp.com.

“I understand the preparations have been good and the GFA and management team are doing everything they can to ensure we secure all 3 points in Bamako.

“I will like to wish them the best of luck and like every Ghanaian I am praying that they do well.

“We should all support them because we all want to be in South Africa come 2010.”

Appiah has received overwhelming public support for his unattached status despite criticism for a small minority of fans.

The Ghana captain is grateful for the support and insists he will never turn his back on his country.

“I am pleasantly surprised by the support I have received from the majority of Ghanaians” Appiah said.

“Those who know the real Stephen Appiah know that I will never turn Ghana down if called up unless there is a genuine reason like this one.

“I am thankful to the GFA and coaching team for understanding the situation and supporting me.

“All the rumours that I pulled out because of previous criticisms are untrue. Criticism is part of our sport and I have no issues with people expressing their opinions. It will not stop me from answering a Black Stars call - NEVER!

“The focus should not be about Appiah but the national team doing well and I will urge all Ghanaians to support the team (today) and in Sudan in a few weeks.

“Good luck and best wishes to the Black Stars. I am fully behind you all,” Appiah concluded.
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Appiah: the man, the myth, the magic (I)

People say Appiah is old.
People say Appiah is weak.
But let's not forget,
He is Il Kapitano!

He has been a great servant everywhere he has been. And, let me leave you to judge. Here's a lil something on the Black Stars captain.



We salute you!
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Why Appiah's decision to withdraw was/is so wrong

Ghana woke up a week ago to the news that Il Kapitano had withdrawn from the upcoming game with mali in June and even yesterday's Uganda clash.

My first reaction was: He has what?!


He may be smiling here, but I am sure the guy can't sleep.

His reason was that he had family issues. Almighty Jah...I mean come on, since when did football allow family issues to determine whether they play in a World Cup qualifier. Since he started playing for the Stars in 1996, has he ever stepped down from any game due to family issues?

And I'm sure he's had his fair share of them.

That brings us to the 2009 million dollar question: why is he not playing? I like to feel that the pressures of the fans and the snickering is getting to him. But, for balls sake, he should learn from Cristiano Ronaldo!

This is the time to show the fans who's boss - and it should be on the pitch, not off it. He should have come down and played the game of his life. As I like to say, 'fans are like sails, they bend with the winds. '

Appiah should simply stop whining, be a man and come out if something is really wrong.

Mohammed Gargo, long time friend of his chose to take the ire of fans by blaming them:

"Probably he is also tired hearing the comments of our own football lovers in this country.

"Football is such that when people don't like you, they try to paint you black no matter how good you are.

He added: "So probably he's tired and he just wants to take a break and see what is going to happen. I will personally not plead with him but ask him to rethink his decision

"I think they need him even his advice. If he's always on the bench I will like it. The public will have to sympathize with him."

So what's Milo saying?

"It's a big problem for us because he is a big player. We are talking with him, and we hope he returns to camp as soon as possible."

Of course it is a big problem because Stevie is, without being clichéd, the heartbeat of Ghana.

Appiah should simply stop whining, be a man and come out if something is really wrong.

Meanwhile, Fulham defender John Paintsil agrees that the loss of Appiah is a major blow.

"It is going to be difficult without Appiah. If there is anything to bring him back that will be better," he told Joy Sports in Accra.

So then, that's the feeling in me mind.
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Erasmus Kwao asks: Can Ghana get to South Africa?

My colleague Erasmus Kwao over at Citi FM in Accra hosts and produces various sports shows on the station. He also occasionally does punditry for Metro TV in Accra. Here are his views on Ghana's chances of getting to Rainbow Land in 2010, written after the Ghana - Benin game two months ago.

Various interpretations have been given to the Black Stars’ performance in their 1-0 win over Benin in the World Cup qualifier at the Baba Yara Stadium on March, 29 2009. The Stars were put on the back foot for long periods in the match but were fortunate to run away with the victory courtesy the first minute strike by Prince Tagoe.

In the aftermath of the match, some have openly questioned the commitment of the players to the national cause and head coach Milovan Rajevac has not been spared either. The Stars showed promise when they were training for the game but their performance during the match kept most people guessing what might have happened.

A former Chairman of the Ghana Football Association Ben Koufie was alarmed about reports which suggested that the Minister of Youth and Sports had clashed with Sulley Muntari over the thorny issue of winning bonuses five clear days to the match.

There were early signs which suggested the players were going to demand an increase in winning bonuses, which stood at $8,000 but I think the issue could have been dealt with much better between the two sides, albeit diplomatically

Another ex-Stars striker Augustine Arhinful is however quick to point out that despite the fact that the Minister did not help matters with his heavy handedness, the players were not likely to be affected by the row since they earn more than what was being offered at their clubs.
It’s true that the players stand to benefit more than the nation in the overall analysis if they qualify for the second successive occasion.

Their market values could skyrocket just as it did in the immediate aftermath of the 2006 World Cup in Germany and that is enough personal motivation. There is no denying the fact that money was one of the factors which influenced the Stars’ qualification to the last World Cup and it clearly showed in the way the Stars went in for challenges for the ball, during the competition.

There were early signs which suggested the players were going to demand an increase in winning bonuses, which stood at $8,000 but I think the issue could have been dealt with much better between the two sides, albeit diplomatically. But that is not all.

Milovan Rajevac is also at fault for the poor display. To start with, the decision to play right full back Samuel Inkoom on the left full back position despite the availability of fit Harrison Afful and Belgium based Nana Kwasi Asare was unpardonable.

The Serbian rationalised his selection saying he needed a quick player to deal with the threat from Benin. He added that Inkoom played according to his instructions when clearly the Kotoko defender struggled with the pace of the Benin attackers and found it problematic kicking the ball with his left foot.

The Serbian also gave a half fit Stephen Appiah and a non committal Sulley Muntari too much time on the pitch while emerging players like Kwadwo Asamoah was given too little time to perform.

The Serbian trainer would need to make some bold decisions and introduce competition in the team in order to bring out the best in the players because he would have no excuse if he fails and Ghana fails to make it to South Africa 2010.

Asamoah could be his bait for such a revival. The 20-year-old has proven with his 16 appearances for Udinese that he could fit into various roles in the midfield, both defensive and offensive.

On the way forward, it’s still baffling that the GFA did not send any scout to watch our next opponents Mali draw 1-1 with Sudan in Omdurman. Rajevac and his assistants are now on a scouting mission in Europe to spy on the individual players at their club sides - amazing.

The ball is in your court, GFA and Milovan Rajevac.

Agree with him? Lemme know your views. But here's his blog anyway.
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