Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah says he has been toughened by recent criticisms for being unattached since terminating his contract with the Turkish side Fenerbahce and he is determined to shut a lot of mouths.

The 28-year-old constant call-ups into the national team have been debated by football fans and it is believed that he pulled out of this month's qualifiers as a result.

But Appiah denies and says comments on his fitness level are unconstructive and abusive.

"About the comments if people are saying Stephen Appiah doesn't have a team we shouldn't call him, I understand we live in a real world," Appiah told Joy FM.

"What they are saying is right, If I don't have a team there's no need to call me but at times they don't criticize they insult and that is very bad.

"I love football and I think that I have done a lot for Ghana. I don't want to talk about happened-My family problem is private."

"You have to criticize a player of course-even Maradona, Beckham all of them they criticize them," he added.

"I am a guy that doesn't even talk. When you criticize me the more you give me the power, the more you give me the energy to prove you wrong.

"People always have something to say. If I'm coming to play they have something to say if I'm not coming to play they have something to say."