Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communications Director Ibrahim Sannie Daara has admitted he regrets playing a key role in Kevin-Prince Boateng’s decision to represent Ghana ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Boateng, who previously featured for Germany at youth level, went on to score two goals in 15 appearances for the Black Stars between 2010 and 2014.
Speaking on Good Evening Ghana on Metro TV, Sannie revealed that his involvement in the process, once motivated by patriotism, has now become a source of disappointment.
“I regret it because I did it with all my heart and mind,” he said. “At the time, I believed he was a good player who could strengthen the team, so I exerted some pressure on the FA to make it happen.”
Sannie, who was working with the BBC at the time, said Boateng’s commitment to the national team quickly became questionable, citing incidents where the player skipped competitive qualifiers but appeared for high-profile friendlies.
“Do you know that Kevin has not played in any AFCON qualifier? We were going to play DR Congo away; he didn’t show up because he claimed he was injured. Three days later, when we were playing England, he turned up saying he wanted to play. The players revolted, and he was sent away,” Sannie recalled.
He added that despite Boateng’s famous goal against the United States at the 2010 World Cup, his overall contribution to the Black Stars was fleeting.
“After one tournament, he disappeared,” he concluded.
