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Soccer News of Friday, 23 July 2010

Source: Asempa Sports

Laryea admits sour relationship with Appiah

Ghanaian midfielder Laryea Kingston has revealed the relationship between him and Black Stars skipper Stephen Appiah went sour prior to the World Cup in South Africa.

Though he would not disclose details of what caused once a cordial relationship to turn sour, Laryea said he was prepared to put everything behind him and patch up with his one-time friend.

Speaking on Asempa FM sports morning show on Friday he intimated, that what transpired between them was personal and discounted the speculations that it had to do with his axing from the Black Stars 23-man squad ahead of the just ended World Cup in South Africa.

He also rejected reports that skipper Stephen Appiah, also known as Tornado, betrayed him by asking the coach to drop him.

Laryea noted that Stephen Appiah is someone he respects a lot because of his great leadership qualities which to him has transformed the fortunes of the Black Stars.

He said Appiah was an inspiration and a great motivator to his colleagues, and doubted he could have influenced the coach to drop him (Laryea) beause Appiah was himself fighting for a place in the team anyway.

Speaking to reports that he insulted and attacked coach Milovan Rajevac after he announced to him he was not going to need him in South Africa, Laryea stated he was very heartbroken when the coach told him that, but he never insulted him or even tried to assault him physically as was rumored.

He also lauded the splendid performance the team put up in South Africa, becoming the third African country after Senegal and Cameroon to have reached the quarter finals of the World Cup.

He added that even though he was unable to make it to the World Cup, he will not turn his back on his country when called upon to play for the Black Stars.

He also denied reports that he was going to feature for Accra Hearts of Oak on Sunday at the Lenclay Stadium at Obuasi when Hearts play Ashgold in the Swag Cup first leg tie.