Striker Kwesi Appiah still haunted by AFCON final defeat

by Staff Reporter

Monday Apr 29, 2019. 09:15

English-born Ghanaian forward Kwesi Appiah says he is still haunted by the Black Stars’ defeat to Ivory Coast in the final of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana succumbed on penalties in the AFCON final four years ago, further extending their long wait for another continental success.

The Black Stars last lifted the trophy way back in 1982, and head to the 2019 finals in Egypt hoping to end a near four-decade drought.

Appiah, who made his tournament debut for the West Africa giants during the 2015 campaign, says the manner of defeat is something that he still thinks of – even four years later – and he hopes the Black Stars can set the record straight in Egypt in June and July this year.

“Ever since 2015, every international break or tournament that's gone by, all that's been in my mind is we need to get that trophy,” he told the BBC.

"It's a big, big deal and getting so close on my first attempt makes me realise how important it is to win that trophy. Hopefully this year we can take the trophy home."

Ghana will play in Group F of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt alongside Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau.