Former Hearts of Oak striker Mahatma Otoo has revealed how his performances under Kwesi Appiah during the 2011 All African Games laid the foundation for their close relationship and eventually earned him a Black Stars call-up.
Speaking to GhanaSportsPage.com, Otoo recalled working with Appiah at the Ghana U-23 level before the former Black Stars coach took charge of the senior national team.
“I worked with Kwesi Appiah before I started getting Black Stars call-ups. I was the assistant captain to Daniel Adjei in the U-23,” Otoo said.
The former Black Stars forward disclosed that he impressed throughout preparations for the tournament, scoring consistently in friendly matches before the competition began.
“I scored in every friendly game we played before the tournament,” he added.
According to Otoo, a crucial tactical switch by Appiah during the tournament became the turning point in his international career.
Ghana had lost their opening match against South Africa, leading to criticism and pressure on the team and technical staff. Ahead of the second game, Appiah asked Otoo to operate as a left-sided forward in a new system.
“In our second game, he asked whether I could play as the left wing forward because he wanted to change the formation,” Otoo explained.
The decision proved inspired as the forward produced a sensational performance, scoring a first-half hat-trick.
“I scored a hat-trick before halftime in the game. That game made Kwesi Appiah believe in me,” he revealed.
Otoo went on to play a decisive role in Ghana’s triumph at the tournament, scoring again in the final before converting a Panenka penalty in the shootout as Ghana defeated South Africa 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The former Hearts of Oak striker finished as the tournament’s top scorer with four goals.
“I also scored in the final and we won the match on penalties. I scored a Panenka in the shootouts,” he said.
Otoo added that Appiah’s trust in him continued after the coach was promoted to the Black Stars job.
“Kwesi Appiah got promoted to the Black Stars later and he gave me my first senior team call-up,” he concluded.
The story remains one of the defining moments in Mahatma Otoo’s career, highlighting the role Kwesi Appiah played in his rise from Ghana’s youth ranks to the senior national team.
