Stephen Appiah has announced his retirement from football and leading the praises for the former national team captain is the man whom he succeeded as leader of the Black Stars.

Former Ghana captain, Charles Akunnor has been hailing the influence and legend of Stephen Appiah after the man who succeeded him finally called it quits from active football.

Your authoritative Allsports.com.gh broke the news on Wednesday morning that after two years without kicking a ball, Appiah decided that time was up to walk away from the beautiful game after nearly two decades of playing at the highest level.

“I think he has his body and he knows when he can or cannot play again. It’s been on and off whether he will still play so if he has finally come out to declare his retirement then we have to accept it,” Akunnor told Allsports.com.gh exclusively.

“He’s done a lot in football and since he’s not been active for a long time, maybe it was the right time to say goodbye,” C.K. added.

To Akunnor who was captain of the national team when Appiah first made inroads into the Black Stars and after whom the Ghana captain’s band was handed to the former Juventus midfielder, there can be no doubt whatsoever about the legendary status of Stephen Appiah in Ghanaian football history.

“Of course before me there was Abedi Pele and we’ve had many captains but Appiah has been exceptional because he was able to qualify the team to the World Cup. All Ghanaians know him and respect and admire him for his courage and leadership when he was captain,” C.K. Akunnor affirmed.

He continued: “The unity, teamwork, commitment, dedication and above all, discipline he fostered during his time will always be remembered and the entire nation will not forget him. He was a true legend.”

Now that the dust has settled over his professional playing career, C.K. is adamant Appiah cannot walk away from the beautiful game entirely. Akunnor who himself has gone into coaching since his own retirement, believes Appiah still has a future in football.

“He must take the necessary steps he deems fit and I’m sure by now he should know what to do. This is a game that has made us all what we are today, he can’t just walk away,” C.K. Akunnor told Allsports.com.gh.

“If he wants to be a coach, he must start taking his courses now because he needs to learn everything. He is a brilliant guy who achieved a lot as a player so I’m sure whether he goes into coaching or management he will be very successful because of the vast experience he has,” Akunnor signed off.