Stephen Appiah has spoken eloquently about his leadership of the Black Stars.

As his testimonial nears, the former skipper has been doing media rounds to raise the hype levels for the event. “I didn’t know that [I was a natural leader] until they made me a captain…. I remember when they appointed me the captain I even told the coach that Olele [Richard Kingston] is a senior player so they should give him the band but they still insisted and gave me the band”, he revealed on Joy FM on Friday.

“When it comes to leadership I always say they don’t sell it in the supermarket,” the ex-captain stated.

The former Juventus player after 67 appearances in a national team jersey will have a fitting testimonial to his leadership of the Black Stars.

“After playing for so many years, in January I decided to hang my boots. This country has been behind me solidly…so I have to play a farewell game.”

Samuel Eto'o, Adebayor, Del Piero, Jay Jay Okocha, George Boateng, Kanu and a major component of Ghana’s first World Cup team in 2006 will be featuring in the testimonial match.

Appiah has paid visits to invite two former Heads of State, Presidents Jerry Rawlings and John Kufuor, Chief Justice Georgina Wood, the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osumanu Nuhu Sharubutu, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu and many high-profile personalities and invited them to the match.

The game is slated for June 27 at the Accra Sports Stadium. “When you have the grace upon you that is what happens to you.”

They call him the Tornado. And his rich career saw him play in Italy for Parma, Udinese, Juventus, Cessena and Bologna. He won the Ghana FA Cup in 1996, the Ghana Premier League (1996), Seria A’s Coppa Italia, Super Coppa Italiana and Turkish Super Cup.

Appiah became the first Black Stars captain to lead Ghana to the FIFA World Cup for senior national teams. His greatest regret is his failure to lift a trophy with the Black Stars.