Sports Features of Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Source: Eugene Baiden

Did Adiyiah Bribe Coach Akwasi Appiah?

REPORTER: What was the basis for Adiyiah's inclusion to the national side?

AKWASI APPIAH (AA): We don't have reputable strikers and that's why he is included

REPORTER: Adiyiah has scored only ONE goal, since 2008, for all the clubs he's played for. Meanwhile, just this season

  • Abdul Majeed Waris (Harken, Sweden) has 12 goals in 9 games
  • Dominic Oduro (Chicago Fire, MLS) has 4 goals in 9 games
  • Richmond Yiadom-Boakye(Sassuolo, Italy division 2) - 7 goals
  • Samuel Affum (Smouha SC, Egypt) - 7 goals
  • Samuel Owusu (Ghazl El Mehalla, Egypt) - 5 goals
So, how come all these players were overlooked?

AA: Adiyiah played in tougher leagues

REPORTER: So, you consider the Turkish division 2, Ukraine and Serbian leagues to be stronger than the Swedish league and the MLS?

AA: Emmmm .... I never said that

REPORTER: What did you mean?

AA: emm ... you see ..emmm ... Adiyiah was never given the chance, like the other players

REPORTER: It was only at Milan that he did not get the chance. Karayaka (Turkey, division 2), Partizan (Serbia) and Reggina (Italy, division 2) all gave him a chance, but he failed. They kept him on the bench before eventually letting him go. They cannot be all wrong.

AA: Oh, but that was then. Today he is at Arsenal Kyiv (Ukraine) and firing on all cylinders

REPORTER: Really? I use the internet to do my research and I know for a fact that he is a benchwarmer. He's not managed to score ….

AA: Hold your horses, Wikipedia is full of untruths

REPORTER: The Internet is not Wikipedia, so don’t go there. Look, even Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy), playing from midfield, in the toughest league in the world, has managed 3 goals.

AA: Oh, but I invited Kwadwo. So, what’s your beef?

REPORTER: I know you invited Kwadwo, but that was not my point. Were you not just in Europe?

AA: Yes, I was and also in Dubai. So..?

REPORTER: Did you visit Adiyiah in Kiev

AA: Kiev? Adiyiah is in Ukraine not Kiev

REPORTER: Akwasi, Kiev is the capital of Ukraine. Were you sick on the day of European geography lesson at school?

AA: Barima, watch your mouth.. OK? When I was in school, there was no country like Ukraine

REPORTER: Correct. It was a "region" in the USSR. After the break up, it became an independent country

AA: Were you at Kumasi Legon? What did you study and do you remember …..

REPORTER: Akwasi, stop the diversion tactics. Let's get back on track. What was the basis for Adiyiah's inclusion to the national side?

AA: Remember, he almost scored the winner against Uruguay, at the last world cup. It was his header that led to the penalty that Gyan missed.

REPORTER: Ebei, is that all you've got?

AA: He was the top scorer for the U20 world cup winning side. How about that?

REPORTER: ….but that was ages ago. Don’t you base your selection on current form?

AA: I don't have to answer to you "too known" journalists. This interview is over

REPORTER: Akwasi, have you already stated taking bribes?

NOTE: This interview never happened