Ghanaian defender Dennis Appiah expresses his jubilation after playing a pivotal role in helping Saint-Etienne secure promotion back to the French Ligue 1.

Appiah featured prominently on Sunday as Saint-Etienne triumphed over Metz in the Ligue 1 final playoff at the Stade Saint Symphorien, sealing their return to the top-flight.

Ahead of the return leg at Metz, Saint-Etienne had clinched a 2-1 victory on home turf against their opponents in the crucial playoff encounter.

The former Nantes defender showcased his resilience as he played the full duration of the match, contributing to Saint-Etienne's 2-2 draw with Metz in the second leg of the playoff.

Despite Metz holding a two-goal lead, Saint-Etienne staged a remarkable comeback to force the game into extra time, ultimately securing qualification with a 4-3 aggregate scoreline.

Reflecting on the journey, Appiah recalled the challenging times Saint-Etienne faced, stating, "I just remember that a year and a half ago, when I presented myself at a press conference when we were twentieth. I was told 'what the hell are you doing here? You're not better in Nantes?'"

He continued, "We can be proud of what we did. We struggled. But we did it to experience all that. We struggled for two years, but that's why I came. As we had predicted."

Appiah also acknowledged the contributions of his teammate Ibra' (Wadji), who played a pivotal role in Saint-Etienne's promotion despite facing challenges throughout the season.

Saint-Etienne's promotion to Ligue 1 marks a significant achievement for the club, and Appiah's dedication and perseverance throughout the journey epitomize the spirit of determination and resilience in football.