2022 WCQ: Ghana urged to recall KP Boateng

Berlin's head coach Pal Dardai (L) gives instructions to Kevin-Prince Boateng (R)

Saturday Nov 27, 2021. 10:00

Former Ghana international Dan Quaye has urged Black Stars head coach Milovan Rajevac to recall Kevin-Prince Boateng to the squad.

The Black Stars are set to take part in the final round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March next year and Quaye feels the current Ghana squad needs some experienced players.

Quaye, who was part of the Black Stars squad at the 2006 World Cups in Germany, would like to see Jonathan Mensah, Harrison Afful, John Boye, Frank Acheampong and Boateng back in the team.

“The playoffs will not be easy because the remaining teams are difficult. Truth be told, our performance in the Group stage was low and we only pray to get a good draw. The coach must sharpen the team before the play-offs,” Quaye said on Ghana Football.

Boateng, 34, has represented Ghana at senior level 15 times between 2010 and 2014—scoring two goals—and represented them at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

“I believe this is the time the team needs experienced players. I will be happy if the coach invites Jonathan Mensah, Harrison Afful, John Boye, Frank Acheampong and Kevin-Prince Boateng back into the team. I want their inclusion because they have tasted the qualifiers before and will not struggle,” Quaye continued.

“It’s seems we are joking because depending solely on the young ones won’t help us. African football is different from that of Europe, Kamaldeen Sulemana is a fantastic player and doing good in France but he has not been able to fit in well with the Black Stars because African football is more aggressive as compared to European game.

“At the moment we need more experienced players to be able to qualify.”

Boateng was suspended from the Ghana squad for disciplinary reasons during the 2014 World Cup finals, only hours before the final group match against Portugal, after he was alleged to have verbally abused former manager James Kwesi Appiah during a team meeting.

Since then he hasn’t played for Ghana and he is currently on the books of German Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin.