World XI led by legendary Black Stars skipper Stephen Appiah suffered a successive defeat in the Vodafone Unity Match against the Black Stars on Saturday.
Two second half goals from substitute Ebenezer Assifuah and a goal from Thomas Partey and Alfred Duncan were enough to secure a win, though Sulley Muntari and Yakubu Ayigbeni scored twice in quick succession.
Black Stars dominated from the onset but were unable to find breakthrough as Richard Kingston kept his net safe.
The message of peace through football continue today at the Accra sports stadium having started on Wednesday in Kumasi.
Galaxy of stars across the globe led by Stephen Appiah were mauled by Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara sports stadium, but the result was not the message, the people it brought — symbolising oneness was the goal which was achieve.
People with different affiliation trooped to the Baba Yara sports stadium, and the purpose of this afternoon’s game will be same as the stars continue to preach peace to Ghanaians ahead the general elections in November later this year.
Sol Campbell, one of the stars who is in Ghana noted that Ghana is ‘known for peace’ and called on Ghanaians to keep the image they’ve sold to the world by avoiding ‘violence’.
Stephen Appiah, the legendary Black Stars skipper who ‘redefined the Black Stars’ — uniting the team to fight for a common goal, which saw the senior national team qualify for three successive world cups, his thirst for unity at every endeavour keeps at the highest echelon of peace ambassador — and he is man beyond football.
The Black Stars will line up at the Accra sports stadium to entertain football-loving fans alongside the World XI which will see William Gallas, Dwight Yorke, Edgar Davids, Emile Heskey and host of others displaying their class with the ball.
Sol Campbell has noted that Ghana is known as peaceful country and has called on Ghanaians to foster peace ahead of the November 7, 2016 polls.
The former Arsenal defender who is in Ghana to support Stephen Appiah to use football as vehicle to preach peace, urge Ghanaians to keep the image the country has sold to the world by avoiding violence.
“Ghana is known for Peace, and that has to continue, I urge everyone to vote with a clean heart to avoid any violence,” he told Happy FM.
“That is the more reason why we are here, to help promote peace. So I wont to urge every citizen in the country to vote in peace in November.” he stated.
Sol Campbell and a host other international stars will play the Black Stars tomorrow at the Accra sports stadium.
The Stephen Appiah led world XI toured the magnificent Headquarters of headline sponsor and Ghana’s number one telecommunication service provider,Vodafone at Airport City.
The world XI made up of former and current international footballers notably, English Premier League legends, Sol Campbell, George Boateng, Dwight Yorke, Emile Heskey, Dutch and Juventus legend Edgar Davids, Nigerian international and former Everton forward Yakubu Ayigbeni, former Chelsea and Arsenal defender, William Gallas to name a few were taken around the HQ on a familiarisation visit to understand the operations of Ghana’s number one in voice clarity and internet service provider.
Appiah and his team were met on arrival by Director of Marketing, Agnes Emefa Essah who met the team on arrival spoke of the joy and excitement to be associated with the Unity match which is aimed at promoting peace and unity among Ghanaians before, during and after election 2016.
Former Arsenal defender, Sol Campbell has called on Ghanaian journalists to be ambassadors for peace ahead of the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections slated for November.
According to him, the media is the perfect home to get the peaceful message across to the people of Ghana, and only they can sensitize Ghanaians the hazards of disunity.
“I think that is the most important reason for this game and that is why you (journalists) are here. I believe you will send the message across for a peaceful election this year,” he said after the Vodafone Unity Match with Asante Kotoko.
“I believe that the more you (journalists) get the message out into Ghana, the better it is. Peace is all we need and that is all we preach.” He said.
The Vodafone Unity Match was used as the tool to preach peace in Ghana, and the former England international reckon those who watched from home understood the purpose of the match.
“I also know it was live on television and Ghanaians are watching.” he said.
Sol Campbell, Dwight Yorke, Edgar Davids, Sol Campbell and a host of other international stars graced the Baba Yara sports stadium to preach peace.
Ghana record Premier League champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko thrashed the Stephen Appiah led world XI by four goals to one at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
The game an initiative of Ghana’s number one Sports event house, Primeval Media in conjunction with Ex Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah was aimed at promoting and educating Ghanaians on the need for peace and unity before, during and after the elections in November.
Liverpool legend, Emile Heskey recounted his glorious days with a swift turn after a lovely through ball from Appiah saw him hit a low power drive shot pass the helpless Felix Annan in goal for Kotoko.
Kotoko new signing, Emmanuel Osei Carlos marked his club debut with a goal after he was put through in on goal by enterprising Burkina Faso international and Kotoko’s best performer of the match, Halipha Sodogo.
Substitute Bennett Ofori nicknamed ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’ made the game a Fiesta for the Kotoko faithful present as he scored a hat trick after replacing Carlos for the commencement of the second half.
It may not have any competitive tag but the galaxy of stars Wednesday’s Vodafone Unity match, between Kotoko and a World 11 select side, is expected to attract, will surely give fans a lot to cheer about.
The game, being organised by former Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah, is geared toward promoting peace in the country ahead of the general elections later this year.
Stephen Appiah, himself an excellent football icon, and someone who idolizes peace, will be at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium with a hosts of exceptional football personalities to engage the Porcupine Warriors in what promises to be an exciting evening of football. Kickoff is at 6pm.
Among the stars expected to grace the occasion are former Dutch international, Edgar Davies, England’s Sol Campbell and Middleborough’s George Boateng.
Already, Kotoko players have been talking about the game. They are promising to give the World 11 a stern opposition.
“We watched some of them and really admired them” said Amos Frimpong, captain of Kotoko as he spoke on the match in an interview at press time.
“Edgar Davies, for instance is one of the finest midfielders I have ever watched. Sol Campbell was also a great defender. I learnt so much from them. I would be glad to play with them on Wednesday evening” said Amos.
Asked whether the Porcupines wouldn’t be overawed by the stature of some of these big and impressive football figures that will be at the game or in fact, in the match, Amos Frimpong responded that, they would give their opponent fair taste of the revival that characterized Kotoko’s performance getting to the end of the league’s first round.
“We won’t be intimidated by their presence. We would face the squarely like we see them every day; after that, we will make friends” said the team captain.
The Porcupines will return from their one week break yesterday to begin preparations for the second half of the season.
The countdown to the 2016 Vodafone Unity match ahead of the upcoming general election intensified with Former Ghana President, J.A. Kufuor receiving Ex Black Stars captain and peace ambassador Stephen Appiah.
Kuffour lauded the former Juventus star Stephen Appiah for his contributions towards the promotion of peace in the country and conferred honors on Appiah yesterday by presenting him with a citation when he paid him a courtesy call at his residence in Accra to brief him about preparations for the Vodafone Unity Match (VUM) slated for June 8 and June 11 in Kumasi and Accra respectively.
From Left-Right: Stephen Appiah, Ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Primeval Media, Larry Opare Otoo
“Peace is imperative for the progress and development of any society. For a developing country such as Ghana the lack of peace will lead to civil strife, further worsen our economy and throw our economy into abeyance,” the citation read.
“At no other time is peace more needed than during elections when tensions are heightened, and the least spark degenerates into chaos.
“It is in this vein that I see this initiative by former Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah aimed at sustaining peace in our country before, during and after the elections as a worthy one that must be supported by all including government, the political parties and the Electoral Commission.
“Stephen has always been a leader, and his latest venture in assembling great world footballers to play for peace is another sign of his leadership qualities. I congratulate and encourage him in his endeavors.
Minister for Youth and Sports, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye has accepted former Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah invitation, to be part of the much anticipated Vodafone Unity Match 2016.
The match, an initiative of ex-Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah and organised by Ghana’s number one Sports event house, Primeval Media.
The matches are aimed at promoting peace and unity among Ghanaians as the nation goes to the polls on November 7, to elect a president and parliamentarians.
Ex Black Stars captain, Stephen ‘Tornado;’ Appiah
Appiah, will lead former international players such as, Nigerian deadly duo of Jay Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu as well as former English premier league players, Sol Campbell, George Boateng, Louis Saha, Dwight Yorke and Dutch legend, Edgar davids just to name a few in world eleven side to play a game against record Ghana premier league champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on June 8 and June 11 against the senior national team, Ghana Black Stars at the Accra Sports stadium.
Nii Lantey a former footballer and journalist praised Appiah for leading the cause of educating Ghanaians on the promotion of peace and togetherness among ourselves before, during and after election 2016 and pat him on the back to continue with the good job he has commenced.
Larry Opare Otoo (CEO of Primeval Media Ghana) in a chit-chat with Isaac Amankwah of Vodafone Ghana
“on behalf president John Dramani Mahama, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and all Ghanaians, I want to say thank you for the honours Stephen Appiah has done us by deciding to create the awareness of peace before, during and after election 2016. As a government we should spearhead maintenance and sustainability of peace and if Appiah has decided to hold one side of the arm then we want to thank him, thank Primeval media and headline sponsor, Vodafone Ghana.”
“we wish you the best and assure you (Appiah) can count on us any day to make this event a success and in coordination with the National Sports Authority (NSA) and are ready to avail anything within our power to your disposable. It is quite a difficult program schedule ahead for me but I will honour the invitation,” he added.
Appiah will next on the road as he continues the peace tour call on former president Jerry John Rawlings at his Ridge residence.
Kits to be worn by the Stephen Appiah-led World XI side will arrive on Friday, Sportscrusader.com can reveal.
Adidas, supporting sponsor of the event, will provide branded kits to be worn by the World XI side for both legs of the Vodafone Unity Match 2016.
The World XI stars will wear all black Adidas strip against Kotoko and an all red Adidas strip against the Black Stars who will be in their favourite all white outfit.
The event, sponsored by Vodafone, with support from uniBank, Ethiopian Airlines, T.T Brothers, Adidas, NLA, Azar Chemical Industries, Tang Palace Hotel, Kristal Night Club, Special Ice and Starbow Airlines, is being organised by Ghana’s best sports event management company, Primeval Media, and will see a list of football stars – retired and active – namely; Arsenal legend, Sol Campbell, Chelsea great, William Gallas, Nigeria Super Eagles legends, Nwankwo Kanu and Jay Jay Okocha, as well as Manchester United legends, Louis Saha and Dwight Yorke, among other European and African legends, arrive in Ghana for the two matches, aimed at promoting peace and unity as Ghana goes to the polls on November 7.
Primeval Media organised a Press Soiree last Friday at the forecourt of the Multi purpose court of the Accra Sports Stadium.
The event was meant to officially unveil Ghana’s best telecommunication network service provider, Vodafone Ghana who has been branded number one in voice clarity and internet provider as well as interacting with various stakeholders in the football fraternity, members of the sporting media and corporate world.
Watch Sports wear giants, Adidas Ghana representative, Reks Brobbey address the media during the Press Soiree.
The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), has endorsed Primeval Media initiative, Unity Match aimed at promoting peace and unity before, during and after this year’s elections.
Primeval Media, a renowned media firm known for churning out lead ideas not only for media, but for the betterment of the country through its portals, and the organization of events, will in conjunction with Stephen Appiah and Vodafone Ghana, is used football as a tool to preach oneness across the country.
And SWAG eulogized the idea, and promised to spread the message across the length and breadth of Ghana to ensure peace no matter the political differences.
“Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), first of all congratulates Primeval Media for putting this together,” former Happy FM sports broadcast journalist, Charles Osei Asibey who stepped up on behalf of SWAG president said.
“In November (later this year), candidates will be seeking for power. But if we want peace, if we want power, it is important we do this in one accord, and that is only possible through football.
“If there’s no peace, the country will be an island. It is important the sports media throw their weight behind you, and SWAG wants to assure you that we are going to give you the needed mileage.
“The campaign messages you want to roll out there as far as this event is concerned.”
A host of international stars will grace Ghana to play record premier league champions, Asante Kotoko on June 8 in Kumasi and the senior national team, Black Stars on 3 days later in Accra.
