Soccer News of Thursday, 3 November 2016

Source: goal.com

Afriyie rules out Boateng possible return

Kevin-Prince Boateng in action Kevin-Prince Boateng in action

The vice president of the Ghana Football Association, George Afriyie, says a possible decision to recall Kevin-Prince Boateng to the national outfit lies with coach Avram Grant.

Boateng, 29, was handed an indefinite suspension from the Black Stars following a spat with then head coach Kwesi Appiah at the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

The Las Palmas playmaker, who maintains he did nothing wrong, has indicated his readiness to return to national duty if given the chance.

"Once the player is suspended, I don’t see how he can be called up under football structure," Afriyie told Asempa Sports.

"If a player begs, it is very important because once we agree he did nothing, we can move on.

"The choice to call him is a management decision. It is solely not my decision. I may or may not like him in the team but it is not down to me.

"No one doubts the fact that Kevin is playing well.

"When you give a job to the coach, you can make recommendations but the final decision lies with the coach."

At the 2014 World Cup, Boateng, together with Sulley Muntari, was sent home in the morning of Ghana's last group game with Portugal.

The Black Stars eventually lost 2-1 to the Portuguese, crashing out of the global showpiece at the group stage for the first time in three appearances.

Talks about Boateng's possible return have heightened following the 29-year-old's purple patch of form for his Spanish club.

The Berlin-born has netted four times in eight league outings, two goals of which have come in his last two matches.