Former Black Stars duo, Derek Boateng and Kevin-Prince Boateng
Former Ghana midfielder, Derek Boateng has revealed the circumstances that led to Kevin-Prince Boateng’s dismissal from the Black Stars camp before the international friendly against England in 2011.
In an interview with Sporty FM, the ex-Fulham man explained that Kevin-Prince had earlier failed to honour a call-up for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo, only to resurface when Ghana were preparing to face England in a high-profile friendly.
According to Boateng, the move did not sit well with the playing body and sections of the technical team, who felt the gesture showed a lack of respect to the squad. A collective decision was therefore taken to bar him from featuring in the match.
“We went to I think Congo or something to play a qualifier. Kevin-Prince Boateng was invited, but he didn’t show up, and the next game we were playing against England, he came to the hotel. We made sure that he had to be out of the squad. He would not play,” he recounted.
He stressed that allowing such behaviour would have set a dangerous precedent within the team.
“We cannot go to the Africa Cup and go and play. Then we come to England, then you show up that you want to play, now you are good. Nah, it will not happen.”
Boateng’s comments come amid renewed debate over the selection of foreign-based players who previously declined the chance to represent Ghana, as the Black Stars build towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The former international opposed the inclusion of such players, singling out Eddie Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi, and warned that recalling them could undermine team unity and morale.
