Black Stars could have done without K.P. Boateng – Ex Sports Minister

• Posted on July 9, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah has said that the Black Stars could have done without suspended midfielder, Kevin Prince Boateng at the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

Ghana’s participation in the 2014 World Cup was rocked with scandals, some of which led to the sacking of two players, Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng from the team camp.

Responding to a question by the host of Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana, Paul Adom Otchere, on whether he regretted contributing to the inclusion of Boateng in the team for the tournament, Mr. Ankrah said; “with the benefit of hindsight, I think that we could have done without people like that. I am being very very frank.”

German-born Kevin-Prince Boateng, announced his retirement from international football in 2011, eighteen months after naturalizing for Ghana in order to represent the Black Stars at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The player stated physical demands emanating from playing for both club and country at high levels as reason for his retirement. He was, however, recalled into the Black Stars in 2013 ahead of Ghana’s participation in the World Cup in 2014.

Mr. Ankrah also indicated that Boateng’s cultural orientation had a negative impact on the team.

Kevin Boateng was sacked from the team camp together with his team mate, Sulley Muntari for acts of misconduct.

According to the Ghana Football Association, Boateng used “vulgar verbal insults” at coach Kwesi Appiah during one of the team’s training sessions in Maceio which was the Black Stars’ team base in Brazil for the World Cup.

The GFA further stated that Boateng did not show remorse for his actions, resulting in his expulsion.

The Black Stars were eliminated in the first round of the competition after picking up a point and finishing bottom of  Group G which had the USA, Germany and Portugal as group opponents.

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By: Mawuli Tsikata