Ghana Football Association vice president Fred Pappoe insists Stephen Appiah is still good enough for the Black Stars after his latest call-up triggered a fresh bout of criticisms. Appiah has been without a club for close to two years now but was recalled into the Ghana side that will play Zambia next Wednesday.

While still hugely popular, there is a growing feeling that the player is beginning to lose the steam for international football because of his inactivity at club level but Pappoe is adamant he is still important for the team.

“The important thing is whether the player is mentally and physically up to it,” he said. “Can he deliver when he is called up is one of the major questions and the primary criteria is whether he can play and contribute significantly to the team. The issue of active football I think is a secondary criteria.” Appiah is one of three players recalled by Milovan Rajevac alongside Sulley Muntari and Laryea Kingston who were all absent from Ghana’s two world cup qualifiers in June.

Pappoe says their return should make the team a much stronger unit beginning with that friendly against Zambia at Brisbane Road in London next Wednesday.