Players Abroad of Monday, 14 May 2007

Source: Ibrahi Sannie

Appiah savours Turkish title win

Ghana captain Stephen Appiah spoke of his "fantastic feeling" after setting up the goal that sealed the Turkish league title for Fenerbahce.

Fenerbahce twice fought back from a goal down on Sunday and held Trabzonspor to a 2-2 draw to win their 17th title in their centenary year.

With two matches to go before the end of the season, Fenerbahce top the table with 64 points, six points ahead of arch-Istanbul rivals Besiktas, who lost 3-0 to Bursaspor.

Fenerbahce have the better record from matches between the two clubs this season.

Even if they lose both of the remaining games and Besiktas win theirs, they would still be champions under the rules of the Turkish league.

But the Istanbul giants had to wait until the 85th minute when Appiah turned his marker inside out before clipping in a precision cross to Brazilian Deivid de Souza, who headed into the empty net.

Huseyin Cimsir's opener after just two minutes was cancelled out by Sanli Tuncay in the 5th minute before Guinean forward Ibrahim Yattara restored the visitors' lead.

Appiah, who played through the pain barrier as he is yet to overcome a knee injury,

"It is a fantastic feeling. We thank God for giving us the title in our centenary year," the Ghana captain told BBC Sport.

"I really wanted to help the club win the title that's why I agreed to play even with the injury.

"Even though I can still feel the pain I think the risk has paid off and I am happy that the fans are happy."

The result was a major relief for the new champions after Galatasaray snatched the title away from them in the final game of last season.