By Patrick Akoto
Ex-Ghana captain Stephen Appiah says he has no regrets over his decision to quit international football.
The 31-year-old called time on his international career following the country’s quarter-final exit from the World Cup in South Africa 2010 despite craving calls for him to rescind his decision.
The former Juventus and Fernabache man has rediscovered his confidence since he joined Serbian top-flight side FK Vojvodina.
He has regained full fitness after recovering from a two-year career threatening injury by putting up sublime midfield performances for the Eastern European side.
There are many who believe the ex-Cesena enforcer retired from international football too quickly but he insists the timing was right and he has no regrets.
“It wasn’t an easy decision to take but when I made that decision, I was cocksure about it and seriously I have never regretted,†Appiah said
“One has to retire from the game at a point anyway and so after serving my nation for close to 15 long years, it was only proper for others to continue from where I left off.
“There have been calls for me to return to the national team, but I am somebody that hardly goes back on a decision I have taken.
“Because before I do, I am 100% sure is the right one. At the moment, I am enjoying my play in Serbia and that’s what I want to concentrate on for now,â€
Appiah will go down as one of Ghana’s all-time greats, having helped the country to qualify for the World Cup on two successive occasions.
And he played a major role during his playing time of the Black Stars as he made 68 appearances and scored 17 goals.
As the captain of the Black Stars, Appiah is seen as the major reason why Ghana qualified for the World Cup for the first as he united the squad previously plagued by infighting.