When Stephen Appiah strolled out unto the Loftus Road ground for Ghana's friendly against Australia, it was the 50th time he was stepping out for Ghana.

In a country where keeping statistics has become the most difficult thing to do, Appiah's half century of appearances will only go to confirm his ever rising status as one of Ghana's true greats.

Ghana football has produced some cracking players.

There was Abedi Pele, so gifted and committed to the nation that he easily draws a crowd wherever he shows up.

The nimble-footed Osei Kofi was a great footballer, who could do anything with the ball.

And lately, Samuel Osei Kufuor defined what success for a Ghanaian player in Europe should mean after stringing together a decade of superb outings for Bayern Munich of Germany.

All of them will earn colourful pages in any historical recording of Ghana football.

They will be talked about in glowing terms but in years to come it seems the chorus of praise and adulation for one man, who will rise to deafening levels.

Stephen Appiah has had a glorious Black Stars career.

When he took over from C.K Akunnor as captain of the team, the "Tornado” knew he was taking up an armband that had inspired some and weakened others.

He knew that small strip which Abedi wore so proudly could make the ultimate difference between being loved and loathed in a country where football passions runs to sky limits.

It didn't help too that the man, Appiah was taking over had struggled.

C.K Akunnor has confessed several times that following in the footsteps of Abedi Pele came with too much pressure.

Not for Appiah and not even the fact that he was only considered after Samuel Osei Kufuor had declined the offer that has propelled him to this level.

Since he started wearing that band, you will struggle to remember a bad game he has had for the Black Stars.

Instead, his time with the Black Stars is littered with memorable moments all through.

Okay there have been the occasions when he hangs on the ball for too long when releasing it would have done his team a world of good.

Overall though he has been what you will call a captain fantastic.

There are many occasions to back that and inevitably the Wold Cup provides them. It was in the qualifiers that he really came good.

With the nation pumped up for South Africa and fearing an early exit against Bafana Bafana after the opening day slip to Burkina Faso, Appiah showed up when we needed him most.

He was brilliant that afternoon in Kumasi, tackling, passing and firing in two goals.

Along with my mentor Kwabena Yeboah, we sat in our television commentary positions raving about him all afternoon.

Afterwards, raving about him became the norm on Ghana match days but none more intense than the day we took Bafana Bafana apart in Johannesburg.

Appiah didn't score a goal yet he played so well and cooked the two goals, they still remember him in South Africa for that.

If you were South African, it was frightening, as a Ghanaian it was heaven on earth.

And as he pumped his fist at the end of the 2-0 win, you knew how much victory in a Ghana shirt meant to him.

As a journalist, he is a dream. There have been times when you will wait at the airport to get an interview.

He will emerge and declare calmly, "Michael I am knackered, lets make it tomorrow morning.”

And on time he will be, talking up the Black Stars and taking you through the football issues he loves to.

In Germany during the World Cup, the media intrusion became so intense that Appiah shied away sometimes.

He couldn't however, escape the spotlight on the field of play.

Phenomenal against Italy, impeccable in the rout of the Czech Republic and sensational against the USA, he led the line for Ghana at her first World Cup appearance like a true leader.

And that is what will define his leadership of this team.

Often when the current Stars talk of unity in camp, of how no one behaves like the boss, it is a tribute to how he leads quietly, how he looks out for his mates and stands up for their interest.

In the chat rooms of the various Ghanaians websites, the tributes have been pouring in for the man they call 'Tornado’.

One fan wrote: "he is the most patriotic and dedicated Ghanaian footballer I have ever seen.”

Another wrote: “He also epitomises deep and sincere humility. He just loves what he does and does it with all his might, mind, and strength.”

A third said: “I always see this guy with tears of joy in my eyes. He is so patriotic that any statement he makes is inspirational. He is a real leader.”

Appiah’s impact on Ghana football has been profound and he seems genuinely touched by how much he is loved.

On the morning of Ghana’s game against Australia when I called to say my congratulations, he seemed overcome with emotion.

“I must thank you guys for your support. Without you this wouldn’t have been possible”, he said.

Few people know Appiah better than Ibrahim Sannie, the BBC journalist who stood up for the kid from his Auroras days and when he endured some difficult moments with the U-20s.

Sannie says he envisages Appiah will go on for a while.

“He has an affinity for the national team that is unbelievable. He is at the peak of his game now surely has many more useful years in him for the Black Stars.”

Appiah himself says he wants to repay all the faith the country has showed in him and help the national team to honours in future.

“I am happy to be close to reaching this milestone in the great Ghana shirt and I want to thank the people of Ghana for giving me the opportunity to serve my country,”

“I owe it to the people of Ghana, my Black Stars team-mates, the FA and not least my family, who have all supported through the hard times in my career.

“In whatever position I find myself I will serve my country and will make sure that we achieve bigger things in future.”

Those bigger things could be an African Nations Cup medal and maybe another stirring role at the world cup.

Even without those he has been a true servant of the Ghana game.

A selfless leader who heeds the national call with fervent passion.

When he pulls on the national shirt, it is difficult not to love him, not to be inspired. And he has done that 50 times! Bless you, Appiah!


Written by: Michael Oti Adjei