Once a guiding force behind Ghana’s Black Stars, Kwesi Appiah has seen it all—the triumphs, the heartbreaks, and the unending debates over the captain’s armband. Now, as controversy swirls once again over the team’s leadership, he offers a stark reminder: no individual should place personal ambition above national success.

In a candid interview with Luv FM, Appiah questioned why some players prioritize wearing the armband over making meaningful contributions on the pitch. “If you don’t have the armband, will people not see you as a big player? Is it about you, or is it about the team?” he asked pointedly.

His words come amid Ghana’s ongoing captaincy shuffle. With Thomas Partey unavailable for the AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Sudan, Mohammed Kudus was entrusted with the role. But soon after, Jordan Ayew was handed the captaincy for clashes against Angola and Niger, leading to concerns about instability. Reports now indicate Ayew has been named the team’s permanent captain.

Captaincy disputes are not new to Ghanaian football. In 2019, Asamoah Gyan was stripped of the armband in favor of Andre Ayew, sparking outrage and a brief international retirement. Now, history threatens to repeat itself.

With the Black Stars set to face Chad and Madagascar in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on March 21 and 24, Appiah’s message is clear: national pride must come first. “If, because of captaincy, your country will lose, will you say your country should lose? No.”

As the team moves forward, the question remains—will the players heed his call?