Ex-Ghana captain Stephen Appiah has revealed the country’s most convicted armed robber Ataa Ayi was his bossom friend during his boyhood days, and could have turned on the gun if not for football.
The retired Ghana international made the chilling revelation during an interview on Accra-based Starr FM on Wednesday with celebrated broadcaster Kwabena Anokye Adisi ‘Bola Ray’.
The 34-year-old in chronicling his difficult life from childhood revealed Ataa Ayi, born Ayi Ayittey,who is serving a combined jail term of 160 years for robbery and murder, was his playmate and ate with him.
“I always say that if I had not become a footballer then I would have been an armed robber,” he said
“I went to Nsawam Prison for a program and 15% of the inmates were my friends in Chorkor.
“The Ataa Ayi that many people talk about was my friend. I ate with him in Chorkor.
“Most of my friends I grew up with at Chorkor are now criminals, mad or even dead while robbing.”
The celebrated ex-Black Stars captain hanged up his boots in January this year.