James Kwesi Appiah, head coach of the senior national male football team, the Black Stars, has heaped praises on former President John A. Kufuor, ahead of the J. A. Kufuor Cup match between Kumasi Asante kotoko and regional rivals Ashantigold, on Sunday, January 6, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi.
Coach Appiah described the former president, as a father to him, adding that he had contributed greatly to his career.
The match, scheduled for the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday, January 6, 2019, is to honour former President Kufuor, commemorate his 80th birthday celebration and raise funds for John Agyekum Kufuor (JAK) Foundation, aimed at developing and nurturing leadership projects under the foundation.
According to coach Appiah, he would give out his all, to see to the success of the J. A. Kufuor Cup, considering how accommodating the former President was.
“I decided to be an ambassador for the Kufuor Foundation, because he was my Board Chairman when I was captain of Kotoko and on several occasions he assisted and advise me on any things, when I was in difficulties.
“Even when I was in the United Kingdom (UK) and decided to come down to Ghana to be a coach, I spoke to him that I wanted to speak to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and he gave me the opportunity.
“One thing that I really admire about him is his fatherly advice and his warm and welcoming attitude to anyone who comes into contact with him,” he said.
The former Asante Kotoko captain noted