Ataa Ayi's friend: I could have become an armed robber - Stephen Appiah reveals

Stephen Appiah has revealed that notorius armed robber Ayi Ayittey - popularly known as Ataa Ayi - was his bosom friend during his childhood days  and could have easily become a criminal himself if not for football.

The former Black Stars captain revealed that he grew up in chorkor together with Ataa Ayi, who is currently serving 160 years imprisonment at the Ankaful Maximum security prisons.

Appiah told Starr FM: 'I always say that if I had not become a footballer then I would have been an armed robber.'

'I went to Nsawam Prison for a program and 15% of the inmates were my friends in Chorkor.

'The Atta 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.'

Appiah officially hanged up his boots from active football earlier this year and had a good send off in a highly patronized testimonial game organized by Primeval Media.