Kwesi Appiah, a 34-year-old striker for Boreham Wood, is evolving from a player to a football intellectual through coaching, scouting, and journalism. His unexpected selection for the Ghana national team during the 2015 AFCON marked a pivotal moment in his career. Currently aiming to uncover and support African football talent, Appiah balances multiple roles while reflecting positively on his journey and experiences in the sport.
Now aged 34, Kwesi Appiah continues to score goals for Boreham Wood in the National League while simultaneously pursuing a coaching career, scouting roles, and sports journalism. He was born in Camberwell, London, to a Ghanaian father and an English mother. His football career began with Ebbsfleet United in 2008, where he scored on his debut against Woking, although an early exit marked the start of a career filled with challenges.
Appiah’s controversial transfer to Peterborough United in 2009 drew scrutiny due to FA investigations and resulted in a series of loan spells at lower-tier clubs like Weymouth and Kettering Town. In a surprising twist, he received a call-up for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) while playing for fourth-tier Cambridge United, a recognition he didn’t expect amid his loan from Crystal Palace. He mentioned, “Being on loan from a Premier league club to a club in the 4th tier of English football you don’t expect to get that sort of recognition…”.
Joining the Ghana national team, Appiah faced imposter syndrome but found camaraderie with his teammates, easing his transition. After missing the first two games of AFCON, he impressed in a substitute appearance against South Africa and went on to start in the quarter-finals, ultimately scoring and assisting in later games. “Putting on that shirt for the first time… was euphoric and a dream come true,” he reflected on his debut.
Although Ghana did not win the tournament, Appiah valued the experience and the insight gained from playing alongside legends like Asamoah Gyan. He expressed admiration for Gyan’s capabilities, stating, “It’s a very tough task to replace someone of his calibre and quality…” He hopes that emerging talents like Kudus and Semenyo can step up for Ghana in the future.
Presently, Appiah has revitalized his career with a prolific season at Boreham Wood, scoring 23 goals. He stated, “I’m enjoying scoring goals… I love scoring goals with a passion so I can eventually push my team to promotion.” He attributes his success to the club’s faith in him after many transfers, making this season a significant milestone.
Having played for 20 clubs, Appiah reflects fondly on his time at Crystal Palace, despite limited first-team appearances. He credits his former coaches, like Dougie Freedman, for their roles in his development. “I had a great working relationship with my first coach… he really took his time to help me develop…” he shared.
Currently, Appiah works as an academy scout at Crystal Palace, where he seeks young talent. He admitted that finding standout players is challenging and noted, “we know in football there are very few who make it, it’s the 1% of the 1%…”. His scouting experiences help hone his perspective, although he has yet to discover a breakthrough player.
Appiah believes that the current Crystal Palace team has improved under manager Oliver Glasner, following a challenging start to the season, stating, “The team has gone from strength to strength and is really productive at this moment of time.” His insights into the team’s development demonstrate his deep understanding of football dynamics.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Appiah utilized the downtime to pursue further education in coaching and journalism, including a UEFA B license and qualifications in talent identification. He is also studying sports journalism, a field he is passionate about. He expressed, “Sports journalism is something I’ve always been interested in…”.
Appiah balances his varied roles effortlessly, blending coaching, scouting, and commentary, working as a co-commentator for the BBC during the 2022 World Cup. His analytical approach reflects his comprehensive understanding of the game, indicating his evolution into a football intellectual.
His ultimate goal is to connect African talents with opportunities in Europe, recognizing the wealth of potential in Ghanaian football. “There is amazing unearthed talent in Ghana and across Africa…” he affirmed. As Appiah transitions away from active play, his focus shifts toward empowering future generations in soccer.
Kwesi Appiah’s journey from a promising striker to a versatile footballing figure highlights both the challenges and triumphs of a professional athlete. His contributions to the Ghana national team during the 2015 AFCON demonstrate his skill and determination, while his current roles in coaching, scouting, and journalism showcase his commitment to the sport. With ambitions to support young African talents, Appiah’s legacy will undoubtedly extend beyond his playing days, impacting future generations in football.
Original Source: www.flashscore.com
