Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah has been named best male footballer of the year by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG).

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Saturday night honoured worthy Sports men and women in the 31st edition of the awards scheme.

SWAG devoted this year’s award to biding farewell to Black Stars as they embark on their maiden World Cup campaign in Germany next month.

Stephen Appiah apart from his sterling performance on the field of play also showed exemplary leadership during the Black Stars’ World Cup qualification series.

But the Black Stars captain missed the opportunity of winning the most prestigious award for sports personality of the year award.

Appiah together with Ghana teammate, Michael Essien were beaten by the 22-year-old athlete Ignatius Gaisah.

The national athlete beat to the two stars to win the award for the third consecutive time.

However, the Black Stars won the award for team of the year with coach Ratomir Dujkovic rounding up a great night by picking up the award for coach of the year.

Other members of the Black Stars squad to pick up awards were defender, Issah Ahmed who was voted the Premier League Player of the Year for last season.

Goalkeeper Philemon MacCarthey also picked the Most Promising Star award.

Prince Tagoe won the the Goal-king award while Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club picked the Top Scoring Club of the Year title.

Title sponsors of the Black Stars, Goldfields Ghana and Guinness Ghana Limited were given special awards for their contribution to the Black Stars historic qualification for the World Cup.

Also, Samuel Oduro Nyarko, for his role as Board Secretary of former premier league side Okwawu United since 1981 was presented with a special award.