Michael Essien had always admired Stephen Appiah. When he joined the Black Stars, he looked up to the captain, who was not only a leader on the pitch but a mentor off it. However, their bond was soon tested.

Rumors started swirling in the camp—whispers that Essien and Appiah were at odds. Some players would speak ill of one to the other, hoping to create a rift. They would approach Essien, hinting that Appiah didn’t trust him. Then, they would run to Appiah, suggesting Essien was trying to undermine his leadership.

But rather than fall for the mind games, Essien and Appiah chose a different approach. They picked up the phone and spoke directly.

“We would call each other to clear the air,” Essien revealed in an interview with Sporty FM. “These same guys would tell me something about Stephen, and then go to him with the same lies about me.”

Despite the challenges, neither held grudges. They understood that beyond the locker room politics, external influences, especially from fans and the media, fueled such divisions.

“There’s no bitterness in me,” Essien said. “But sometimes, fans and outsiders create tension within the squad. Players hear these things, and it affects them.”

Through open communication and mutual respect, Essien and Appiah maintained their friendship and unity—proving that true leadership rises above division.