2008 Sports Events

Ghana captain Stephen Appiah played a crucial role in the qualifying campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Ghana qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time.

He has appeared in three world championships at junior level during his teens and after that he made his international debut at the age of 16. In the 1995 FIFA U-17 World Championship, Appiah returned with a winner's medal. Udinese took the 17-year-old to Italy in 1997. During his term with Udinese, he was groomed to a midfielder from a striker. Appiah made his debut for Udinese against Lecce in February 1998. Appiah shot to prominence at the 2000 African Nations Cup when Ghana reached the quarterfinals. Appriah also played for Juventus.

Appiah played a crucial role in helping Ghana reach the last eight of the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1999. He is now amongst Africa's high profile stars. Parma signed a contract with him. After that he was sent to Brescia, where he scored seven times in 31 appearances in the 2002/03 season. Appiah now plays for Fenerbahce after he was signed in for 8 million euros last year. He is definitely a player to watch at the debut of the Black Stars this FIFA season in Germany.