Gargo: ''Fans pushed Appiah"

Ex-Ghana defender Mohammed Gargo says incessant critcisms by a section of fans forced Stephen Appiah to pull out of next month's World Cup qualifiers.

 
The 28-year-old's match fitness has been constantly debated as he is yet to get a club since terminating his contract with Turkish giants Fenerbahce in June last year.

 
Despite being unattached, for former Juventus ace has been instrumental in Ghana's recent matches and was key when Ghana held Africa champions Egypt to a 2-2 draw.

 
Appiah scored one and set up the other in the Cairo game in February and played in the 1-0 win over Benin three weeks later.

He was named in the suqad to play Mali and Sudan next month but announced his withdrawal from the 32-man squad citing family crisis in Italy.

Gargo mentored the Black Stars captained when he moved to his first club abroad, Udinese, in 1997 at the age of 15.

He claims his personal friend's reason to withdraw from the squad goes beyond family commitments.

"For me that is not the main issue here. I have been there before so I know what I am talking about. Gargo told an Accra-based radio station. 

 
"Probably he is also tired hearing the comments of our own football lovers in this country.   

"Football is such that when people don't like you, they try to paint you black no matter how good you are.

"So probably he's tired and he just wants to take a break and see what is going to happen. I will personally not plead with him but ask him to rethink his decision," he added.

" I think they need him even his advice. If he's always on the bench I will like it. The public will have to sympathize with him."

 
In a separate interview with Ghanasoccernet, Gargo insists the criticism levelled against Appiah is unfair given his performance on the pitch and commitment to the national cause.

 
"When we played Egypt he didn't have a club but he our best player and just two weeks later when we played Benin and the entire team had a bad day some people blamed him. This is sad!," Gargo told Ghanasoccernet.com.

 
"I have played for Ghana for many years but Appiah's commitment to the national team is beyond imagination,  

 
"How many players have spent their own monies to buy jerseys for the national team when things were difficult for the country?

 
"How many player would risk their club careers and to play for their country at the Olympic Games? Appiah did it when he was at Juventus and he paid the price just for Ghana to gain glory.

 
"If we turn against him when he needs the support of the country and fans most, I think other young players will look at this treatment and advice themsleves."