Soccer News of Saturday, 24 March 2012

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Abedi Pele: Boateng one of our best

Ghana legend Abedi Ayew Pele said AC Milan’s Kevin-Prince Boateng is his favourite player in Serie A.

The 25-year-old has been on fire for his club ever since he joined them after the 2010 World Cup, with 52 appearances and 11 goals to his name.

Abedi believes the German-born Ghanaian's achievements are worth commending.

"He went there as a player that nobody considered can top the Italian league and he has been able to prove himself and has proved to the club that he is one of the great players that the club can maintain and can look forward to," Abedi told Goal.com.

"I'm happy that he is a Ghanaian and has been able to achieve all that."

Boateng has quit international football because he finds it difficult committing to both club and country due to the workload involved.

However, it is generally believed by Ghanaians that the main reason for his premature retirement from national duty was due to a row with former Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic.

Abedi has called on Ghana authorities to meet the player and urge him to reconsider his decision.

“We need him," Abedi said. "We don’t have to be arrogant.

"You must have some managerial skill to be able to manage certain difficult players in the team because when you have a group you always have difficult people in the group.

"So it all comes to managerial skills because you can be good on the ground as fantastic tactician, but you must have managerial skill to bring egos together and turn it into a winning side.

"If people can really convince him to comeback it will help us in a great deal."