Kwesi Appiah

Ex-France captain Marcel Desailly has hailed Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah for building a young Black Stars squad capable of conquering Africa in just nine months.

The Black Stars are playing the semi-finals of Africa Cup of Nations even though almost half of the squad are making their debut in Africa’s flagship football competition.

With the youngest squad in the competition Appiah has managed to steer the Black Stars to the last four with many of the players plying their trade in the Ghanaian top-flight.

Young players like Christian Atsu, Mubarak Wakaso, Rabiu Mohammed and Albert Adomah have stepped up to the plate in the absence of the likes Michael Essien, John Mensah, Andre Ayew and Sulley Muntari.

The performances of the young players in the absence of the big stars has attracted the attention of Desailly, who thinks Appiah has done a great job in the few months he has been in charge.

Desailly, who was considered for the post before Appiah was confirmed as the boss Black Stars, says Appiah has taken some excellent decisions since he was appointed.

“Yes, of course. I’m happy they’ve appointed a local coach (James Kwesi Appiah), who has made some good choices,” Desailly, who was born in Ghana, said.

“He’s put his faith in Porto’s Christian Atsu Twasam, who’s struck up a good partnership with Asamoah Gyan in attack.

“There are one or two players who’ve made the breakthrough too, like Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and Anthony Annan, who have made up for the absences of John Mensah and Michael Essien.

“We’ve come across a very good generation and they’re not exactly the same players that won the U-20 World Cup in 2009.

“The players have got the right mindset and they’re working as a team at this tournament, which wasn’t always the case in previous competitions.”

Ghana are chasing their first continental title since 1982.