[ 2014-10-28 ]

Essien: Kwesi Appiah didn’t lose dressing room
AC Milan midfielder Michael Essien has said
ex-Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah was in full control of
the Black Stars’ dressing room.

Speaking to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry
looking into Ghana’s participation at the 2014
World Cup via Skype from Italy, Essien said Appiah
did not have problems managing egos of big-name
players.

The in-camera hearing has been described as a
“fruitful interaction” by the spokesperson of
the fact-finding body, Thomas Boakye Agyemang.

The former Chelsea star, who spent an hour with
the Justice Senyo Dzamefe Commission also denied
accusation of not warming up before the Portugal
game, saying as far as he was concerned,
substitutes need not warm up always before
matches.

“They warm up when changes are about to be
made,” Agyemang quoted Essien to have said.
“He also said the players cooperated well with
Kwesi Appiah, and also their behaviour under
coaches in Europe and local ones are always the
same.”

Essien’s colleagues Sulley Muntari and
Kevin-Prince Boateng were expelled in the Ghana
camp over acts of insubordination. The Black Stars
refused to train ahead of their third game against
Portugal due to delays in paying their appearance
fees. The Ghana government had to airlift $3
million to Brazil to settle the aggrieved
players.

According to Essien, the appearance fee was not
really a problem, but the “promises and failing
to fulfill” them was the issue.

He expressed his willingness to play and win for
Ghana, adding he has sacrificed for the nation,
despite nine surgeries while on national duty. The
‘Bison’ said “there are too many people
around the team and this should be checked.”

The Commission is also arranging to hear from
Muntari, Boateng, Harrison Afful, Kwadwo Asamoah
and John Boye also via Skype at a later date.
Three home-based players Stephen Adams, Fatau
Dauda and Rashid Sumaila are scheduled to appear
before the Commission tomorrow.

Source - Starrfmonline

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