Former Ghanaian football captain Stephen Appiah has revealed the instrumental role his compatriot Mohammed Gargo played in launching his professional career in Italy.
Appiah shared the heartfelt story during his acceptance speech at the 9th EMY Africa Awards, where he was honoured with the *Continental Sports Icon Award*.
Reflecting on his early days in Europe, Appiah recounted how Gargo, then his teammate at Udinese, pretended to be injured during a friendly match to allow the young midfielder to showcase his skills with the senior team.
“You still don’t understand. Anytime I see you, I bow. I bow because I appreciate what you have done in my life,” Appiah said during his speech. “I was with the junior side and hadn’t signed my contract yet. We played a friendly game against Sturm Graz, and in the 80th minute, Gargo Mohammed faked an injury for me to have the chance and feel of the game.”
Seizing the opportunity, Appiah scored a stunning 25-yard goal just 10 minutes after stepping onto the pitch. His impressive performance earned him media attention and paved the way for his first professional contract with Udinese.
“The next day, I saw myself in the newspapers,” Appiah narrated. “I called Gargo and told him about the article. He invited me to his house and said, ‘Close the door and don’t let him run away.’ Two days later, I signed my first international contract.”
Appiah and Gargo shared a close bond during their time at Udinese. Gargo, who began his career at Real Tamale United in Ghana, had a notable career playing for clubs including Stoke City, Venezia, and Torino.
Appiah, who joined Udinese in 1997 from Accra Hearts of Oak, went on to play for several high-profile European teams, including Juventus, Fenerbahçe, and Parma, leaving a lasting legacy in Ghanaian football.
The moment of gratitude and reflection highlighted the power of mentorship and camaraderie in football, inspiring many in attendance at the EMY Africa Awards.
source: Graphic Online
