Midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng did not make the latest Ghana squad purely for football reasons, according to Ghana FA vice president Fred Pappoe

There were a lot of speculations following the surprise exclusion of the AC Milan player in the initial 18-man squad named to play Nigeria in an international friendly on August 9.

The reports suggested the ex German youth player was either injured or has fallen out with officials of the Ghana FA for not showing enough commitment.

But the Black Stars Management committee chairman has poured cold water on these reports.

“It is not everybody who can be in the 20-man squad at a particular time,” Mr. Pappoe told GHANAsoccernet.com.

“There is no case with Kevin-Prince Boateng, the news that is out there is not true. He is not in the squad not for any reason apart from footballing reasons.

“You can only go with 20-players and the coaches have taken their decision on the players they’d like to go with.”

The 24-year-old has played only twice for the national team after the 2010 World Cup where he excelled.

He has since been accused of picking and choosing the games he likes to play for the Black Stars and came under heavy attacks for not showing up for the 2012 Afcon qualifier against Congo after declaring himself unfit.

He showed up three days later in London where Ghana was to billed play England in a friendly to officially defend his injury but media reports suggested he wanted to play that particular game at Wembley.

The West African derby will be played at Vicarage Road Stadium, home of Watford in London.