Former Ghanaian football star, Yaw Preko has lauded Stephen Appiah, ex-Black Stars captain’s decision for retiring from international football duty at the right time.

Yaw Preko told Goal.com that Stephen Appiah, currently playing for Italian side Cesena in the Serie ‘A’, has paid his dues to the nation and his decision to retire from the Black Stars must be respected.

“Stephen has done a lot for the nation. He returned from injury when everybody thought it was all over for him and he took us to two World Cups,” Yaw Preko, Black Satellites Assistant coach told Goal.com.

“So we should respect his retirement. I’m happy he stopped at a stage nobody would abuse him, because if you don’t quit at the right time, people start comparing your present to your past. The respect that they have for you would then pass away,” he added.

He suggested a big send-off international friendly match for Stephen Appiah and believes that match will be well watched by Ghanaians and lovers of Appiah. Stephen Appiah announced his retirement from international football after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where he helped the Black Stars to reach the quarter-final stage of the tournament.