Ghana FA President Kwesi Nyantakyi has confirmed that Kevin-Prince Boateng has officially asked to return to the national team. In an interview with South African television channel SuperSport on Thursday night, Nyantakyi validated rumours that had reached a crescendo in the Ghanaian media in the past three days.

“Kevin-Prince Boateng had confirmed to the coach and my good self that he was coming back to play,” the FA boss told the show.

“Let me confirm that before Kwesi Appiah selected his team for the Sudan game Kevin had told the coach and me that he was available for that game. Unfortunately, a week before that game, he picked up an injury during training with AC Milan but he told us that he would participate in the team’s games in June,” Nyantakyi finished.

The AC Milan midfielder announced his retirement from international football in the latter part of 2011. An ex-Germany U19 player, Boateng switched nationality in 2010 to represent the Black Stars. Having played for Ghana for 18 months, he said frequent injuries were behind the decision to retire.

“According to Kevin, the physical demands of playing for both club and country at high levels are taking a toll on his health,” a Ghana FA statement read at the time.

Boateng, according to his statement at the time, explained that in order to remain healthy and stay off any injuries, he had consulted his doctors and family over the matter decided to take the decision to excuse himself from national duties since he was on a special training that he has to interrupt to honour national invitations.

Kevin-Prince’s retirement deeply hurt a nation that had accepted him and had grown to love his style and contribution to the Black Stars.

The public reaction to this piece of news will be fascinating to behold, if the heavily split opinion of the return of the Ayew brothers on Tuesday is any barometer. Meanwhile, Black Stars captain commended Kevin-Prince Boateng’s work for FIFA in fighting racism.

Boateng was recently named as part of FIFA’s Task Force on Racism after walking off the pitch when he was racially abused by fans of Italian lower division side Pro Patria in January.

Gyan was also speaking on ‘Soccer Africa’ and in his estimation, Boateng is fighting for the larger group of African players in Europe.

“It is a good thing because I do not see why African players go to Europe and face these things. What else can I say? He has done a good job. Everybody including the media has supported him. On the whole, I think it is a good thing.”

Source: Citi Fm

Kokonsa: