Former Black Stars midfielder, Derek Boateng has revealed that injuries ruined Ghana’s chances of winning a major trophy during Stephen Appiah’s captaincy.

He explained that the team performed at its best when the former Juventus midfielder was fit and leading with his exceptional leadership qualities, which played a major role in their success.

However, the former Getafe midfielder noted that Appiah suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for a long period, disrupting the team’s chemistry and structure. This, he said, hampered their progress and ultimately denied them trophies.

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Speaking in an interview with Sporty FM, Boateng stated that the injury cost Ghana the opportunity to win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and other major titles, despite reaching multiple finals.

“As we went to about two or three finals, semifinals thereabouts, I feel like if not for Stephen Appiah’s injuries, he could have led us to win a trophy."

"But the injury came so early, at his peak. And when you start having knee injuries, it means your career is going down. So I feel like when Stephen got that injury, that’s when things started dropping for us,” he said.

Speaking on Appiah’s leadership qualities, Boateng added: “Stephen would never ask a young player to do anything he wouldn’t do himself on the field or in training. I remember watching him train, the way he ran and worked. I said to myself, ‘Look at my senior, how he’s running, how he’s playing."

"I need to do more. I need to step up.’ Everything he asked us to do, he did it himself to show us we had no excuse. His leadership quality was amazing. When it was time to joke, we joked. When it was time for business, it was business.”

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Stephen Appiah would have led Ghana to a major trophy if not for his injuries – Derek Boateng#SportyDrive pic.twitter.com/KmexwJkay0

— SportyFM Ghana (@SportyFM_) December 17, 2025