Former Ghana U-17 captain, Sebastian Barnes says he has been neglected by Ghana since 1996.

After representing Ghana at the FIFA U-17 World Championship in both 1991 and 1993, Barnes earned one cap for the senior team in 1994.

But the 43-year old says he has been neglected by the country.

"I have been neglected since 1996," he told Sikka FM in an interview.

"I was painted black because of my haircut and earrings," he added.

Barnes began his career with Hearts of Oak before playing for top-level German teams Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FSV Mainz 05.

In 1997, Barnes played for the Orlando Sundogs in the USISL A-League.

After leaving Mainz in 1998, Barnes played for a number of lower league German clubs, including VfL Hamm/Sieg and SF Neitersen.