Appiah's legacy in Turkey lingers on

The former captain of the national team, the Black Stars, Stephen ‘Leroy’ Appiah can, no doubt, be described as a worthy ambassador for Ghana.

This is because it has been established that during the period that he played professional soccer in Turkey, he lifted high the flag of Ghana both on the field and in his private life.

A visit to the country revealed that the average Turkish does not know much about Ghana, and for that matter Africa, but for the exploits of Stephen during his days at Fenerbahçe.

Though Appiah left Turkey almost a decade ago, it was obvious he left a lasting impression and a memorable legacy. Whenever one identified himself/herself as a Ghanaian in Turkey, one is easily associated with that football legend under who reign as the Captain of the Black Stars, Ghana first qualified for the World Cup and to crown it, left a lasting impression on the minds of football fans globally.

“I like Appiah from Ghana. He used to play well for my team,” said Alors, 25. Perhaps, if we want to market Ghana, we can use Appiah and his exploits in Turkey.

Appiah was transferred from Juventus to Turkish giants Fenerbahçe in July 2005 for €8million. He went on to win the Turkish Super League Championship with the club in their centenary year.

Midfielder Appiah joined Fenerbahçe in a four-year deal with an option for an additional year. He went to Fenerbahçe after a successful campaign with Italian side Juventus. He made 65 appearances for Fenerbahçe but missed most of the 2007-2008 season with a knee injury.

Appiah was a strength in the midfield for Fenerbahçe and contributed to the team’s 2006-2007 Turkcell Super Lig championship, the 17th in club history. He netted 15 goals for Fenerbahçe.

However, Appiah was left off the Fenerbahçe squad for the second half of the 2007-2008 season to allow him to recover from his injury. His injury also forced him to miss the 2008 African Cup of Nations Tournament which was hosted by Ghana.

He began his career with Ghana Club Hearts of Oak, won the U-17 FIFA World Championship with Ghana in 1995 and finished fourth in the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1997.

Appiah has a charity organization called the “StepApp Foundation” and recently introduced a line of clothing and shoes by the same name.Turkish Do & Co is a catering company that operates in Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey which forms the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart.