Asamoah Gyan Responds to Kevin-Prince Boateng’s Allegations
Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has issued a response to the recent statements made by his former teammate, Kevin-Prince Boateng, in which Boateng suggested that the players were reluctant to support him when he advocated for their rights against Ghana Football Association officials.
Kevin-Prince Boateng’s Revelations
Kevin-Prince Boateng, known for his time at Schalke-04 and other notable clubs, recently opened up about the series of events that led to his suspension during the 2014 World Cup.
He expressed his disappointment at the lack of support from his fellow players during this challenging time.
In an interview with Vibe with Five, Boateng lamented, “No one [spoke]. I wasn’t fighting for myself. I was fighting for the team.
I saw them while going out with my luggage, and it was the worst moment. I said to [Sulley Muntari], the real team will say ‘we are all not playing,’” highlighting the absence of vocal support from his teammates.
Public Criticism and Gyan’s Response
In light of Boateng’s revelations, a section of Ghanaians began criticizing Asamoah Gyan, who served as the team’s captain at the time.
Many blamed him and his teammates for not standing in solidarity with their suspended comrades who were seen as ‘doing what is right.’
In response to these criticisms, the Ghanaian football legend felt compelled to address the issue.
He clarified that the team was not opposed to Kevin-Prince Boateng’s actions and asserted that they supported him behind the scenes without his knowledge.
However, Gyan also admitted that Kevin-Prince Boateng had acted in a wayward manner, which had frustrated then-coach Kwesi Appiah. This frustration ultimately led to Boateng’s suspension.
Gyan explained on Twitter, “Kevin’s [Kevin-Prince Boateng] case happened at the training grounds between him and the coach in front of everybody.” He continued, “So that was the coach’s decision because the coach felt Kevin disrespected him several times with his choice of words.”
Gyan went on to reveal, “One thing Kevin didn’t know is we defended him behind the scenes several times. But on that day, the coach couldn’t take it anymore and reacted.
That was the first time I saw Kwesi Appiah get angry and react. So Kevin’s case was the coach’s call. That’s the truth as the captain of the team.”
Kevin-Prince Boateng’s Career After Suspension
Boateng had earlier disclosed the circumstances that led to his dismissal from the national team and Schalke in the same season. He had criticized the authorities, stating,
“They can’t treat us like that,” emphasizing the need for better treatment of players given the revenue generated by the sport.
His dismissal came on the morning of Ghana’s crucial match against Portugal during the 2014 World Cup, which the team lost, resulting in their elimination from the group stage—an unfortunate first in their history.
Despite this setback, Boateng enjoyed a successful club career, featuring for AC Milan, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspurs, and several other prestigious clubs.
Recently, at the age of 36, Boateng announced his retirement from professional football. In a remarkable display of faith, he shared pictures of his baptism in Germany, declaring himself a Christian.
In conclusion, the complex events surrounding Kevin-Prince Boateng’s suspension during the 2014 World Cup shed light on the challenges and dynamics within the Ghanaian national team at that time.
Asamoah Gyan’s response provides valuable insights into the behind-the-scenes efforts to support their teammate, even if it wasn’t publicly evident.
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