Accra, Feb. 13, GNA - Dr Lawrence Tetteh, an International Evangelist and football enthusiast, has called on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to use the Ghana 96 England international friendly to give a befitting farewell to ex-captain Stephen Appiah.

The senior soccer team, the Black Stars would engage their English counterparts at the Wembley stadium in the UK in March. Speaking in an interview with GNA Sports from his London base, Dr Tetteh noted that Stephen Appiah and his colleagues in the Black Stars had done much for Ghana.

He recalled the ex-captain' fantastic leadership role and devotion t= o national calls, which led to Ghana's first time qualification to a World Cup finals. Dr Tetteh noted that for one to lead the Black Stars for two consecutive World Cup finals was not a mean achievement. "The Ghana 96 England encounter will be a much appropriate time and venue to honour a hero like the ex-captain."

Dr Tetteh said, 93The ex Black Stars captain announced his retirement from international football last year and the honourable way he bowed out a= s well as his services to the nation calls for such an honour." The 30-year-old Ghanaian international had played for a number of European Clubs since 1997 and is currently with Cesena in the Italia Seria A. Appiah has played for almost all the national teams and in many major international tournaments including the 2004 Olympic and senior levels. He also played in the FIFA Under 17 World Cup in 1995.

He was the first Black Stars Captain to lead the nation to two World Cup finals when they their World Cup debut in 2006 and was a member of the squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where Ghana missed out in the semis by inches.

Captain Appiah, as a midfielder had 62 international cups, majority of them in 2006 when he played 16 games for the Black Stars and has also score= d 14 goals for his country.

Ghana would be playing England before an estimated 70,000 spectators and fans, which is expected to include some members of the UK's Royal fam= ily and members of the diplomatic corps among others. Dr Tetteh is of the view that the match could be great and memorable for Ghana if Appiah was honoured.

"This will not only spur the younger generation on but more importan= tly will also help the current squad and other Ghanaians in various endeavours to die for mother Ghana," he said.