Kickoff
(Cape Town)
7 October 2008
Black Stars' captain Stephen Appiah has admitted the pressure is on the players to deliver an outstanding performance against Lesotho on Saturday.
Appiah was one of 13 players that turned out to train with Milovan Rajevac at the El Wak Stadium on Monday and told KickOffGhana.com they understand the magnitude of the task.
If they want to check me out in terms of fitness that if fine but don't tell me to get on the field and play for you to see how good I am
Stephen Appiah
"Playing in front of our fans means it is going to be a little bit easier for us, but it also means there is going to be a lot of pressure on us. The Lesotho team has got nothing to lose, so we have to calm down and play our game. And I hope that on Saturday we are going to win massively."
A massive win is exactly what the Black Stars need if they are to stand any chance of finishing in the automatic qualifying slot or as one of the best eight runners up and Appiah is desperate for the opportunity to lead Ghana to another World Cup.
But Appiah has his own personal issues to deal with now including finding a club side immediately.
Reports had suggested his wage demands was stalling a move to the English Premiership, something which angers Appiah.
"I don't know what to say, but it's ridiculous because I have not granted any interview for any journalist, for any paper, for any channel. So I don't know what they're talking about.
"I'm not like that; I'm not greedy at all. I have never been greedy so it's not going to change anything for me. But that doesn't mean that some of the managers, the coaches they will say because I'm coming from injury they will disrespect me and say come and train with us one week then we will see if you are fit or not.
"If they want to check me out in terms of fitness that if fine but don't tell me to get on the field and play for you to see how good I am because even if I am sleeping and I wake up I can play."
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