Feature: Returnee Scandal, A Slap In The Face Of Local Talents

Kevin-Prince Boateng

I find it very amazing that the absence of a player could cause as much stir as it has in the days leading up to a ‘must win’ game against Congo. But i beg the question, “Nah who cause am?”

We huff and puff to rope in players i term as ‘rejected goods’ in the name of being of Ghanaian descent who at the end of the day, would not display a high sense of commitment to the national cause as against our very own indigenous talents whose patriotism is never in doubt.

“We are always interested in bringing in any player qualified to play for the national team no matter where they play,” Mr. Fred Pappoe said at the unveiling of Goran Stevanovic as Ghana coach a few months ago.

But does his comments really reflect on what is happening on the ground?

Are we saying that players like Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Danny Welbeck etc who make no mistakes are very quality materials cannot be found within the four corners of this land?

Players who only make playing for Ghana their second option to their preferred choice of featuring for Holland, Germany, England etc.

To someone who really believes in the potential of the Ghanaian and looking out for opportunities to prove himself i feel very much insulted when preference is given to anyone else just because he is an exotic breed.

Why should all of a sudden my country play second fiddle to someone who only wants to use the platform to gain market for himself especially when perhaps same or better talents genuinely play for a bit more?

Look, lets not kid ourselves, perhaps that unfair culture of ours where we believe everything coming from the “whiteman’s” land is superior to what we have here plays a major role in this instance. This outdated culture I say must stop especially when these ‘foreigners’ throw it back at our faces.

“I made a decision from my head but my heart is 100% Ghanaian now,” this is what Kevin-Prince Boateng said upon being cleared to play for the Black Stars ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Knowing very well he had no chance of playing for Germany (his preferred choice) at the mundial where he will be given the greatest platform ever to display his qualities he opted for ‘talent stricken’ Ghana. Oh my God!

Now we are being told this said player was released by his club to feature for the Black Stars in the game in Congo but failed to turn up under the disguise of injury. No problem, he is the German Prince blessed to us so he can get away with it.

Despite all these signs of lower commitment levels we still ponder day and night how we’ll get more of the ‘returnees’.

Don’t get me wrong, these ‘rejected returnees’ are always welcomed, they are Ghanaians anyway but should only be welcomed when they genuinely want to play for us hence, makes Ghana number one and not number two.

How do you think the average indigenous footballer hoping to one day don the national team jersey which would be the proudest moment of his life feel upon hearing things like these?

I always say it is far better to use low quality but highly committed players as against high quality but lowly committed ones because in the end, it is the commitment which will trigger the in built quality necessary for victory.