I lost 5 kilos instantly- Stephen Appiah on pressure before taking USA penalty 15 years ago

I lost 5 kilos instantly- Stephen Appiah on pressure before taking USA penalty 15 years ago

Lukman Mumuni
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:46 PM
  • Former Ghana captain, Stephen Appiah, has opened up on the pressure of taking the penalty against USA 15 years ago
  • Appiah's first-half penalty sent Ghana to the last 16 in Germany in 2006
  • Ghana beat the United States 2-1 in the final group game

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Former Ghana captain, Stephen Appiah, has revealed that he "lost five kilos" as he stood behind the ball to take the Black Stars' first-ever penalty at a World Cup some 15 years ago.

Tuesday, June 22, 2021, marked exactly 15 years when Ghana defeated the United States 2-1 to reach the last 16 at her first-ever World Cup.

Appiah, who works as a pundit for Euro 2020 on Joy Prime, revealed on the show the weight he carried at that moment and what was running through his mind as he prepared to take the penalty, which he eventually scored.

I lost 5 kilos instantly- Stephen Appiah reveals pressure before taking the penalty against USA 15 years ago
I lost 5 kilos instantly- Stephen Appiah. SOURCE: Twitter/ @ghanafaofficial & @garyalsmith
Source: Twitter

"It's always difficult to take penalties," he started. "Against USA, we were down 1-0 and Haminu Dramani equalised and a minute to half time, we got a penalty and I have to take it and it was very very difficult," added Appiah.
"This is a situation everybody is looking at you when you think back home, Ghanaians, the streets, the family and you don't have to think about anything but to put that ball in," he continued.

Appiah had his eyes fixed on the ball before he majestically sent the American goalkeeper Kasey Keller the wrong way with the ball in the net but admits he instantly lost five kilos.

"I lost five kilos at that spot," Appiah jokingly added on Joy Prime.

Haminu Dramani scored the opener after 22 minutes before Demarcus Beasley leveled in the 43rd minute and a minute later, Appiah scored the winner from the penalty spot.

Earlier YEN.com.gh reported that new Anderlecht midfielder, Majeed Ashimeru is spending quality time with top Ghanaian dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale during the holidays before his return to Europe ahead of the start of the pre-season.

In a video he posted on social media, the excited Ashimeru is seen singing along with Shatta Wale to one of the musician's songs.

The 23-year-old was in the country for holidays after a long season, which saw him start the campaign at Red Bull Salzburg before ending the season on loan at Anderlecht.

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Authors
Lukman Mumuni photo
Lukman Mumuni
Lukman Abdul Mumin is a Sports Journalist based in Accra, Ghana. He has been writing for the past five years. Lukman joined Sports Brief as an Editor for the Local Desk in 2022.
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