GHANA: KEVIN PRINCE BOATENG INJURED AND WITHDRAWN, THE FANS DON’T BELIEVE IT AND CALL HIM AN OPPORTUNIST!
The romantic saga between Kevin-Prince Boateng and Ghana has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. While Schalke 04 asserts that the midfielder is nursing an injury, Black Stars fans are inclined to keep their distance. For them, Boateng seems to be biding his time until the World Cup makes a comeback.
The narrative of Kevin-Prince Boateng mirrors that of the Ayew brothers, Samuel Eto’o, and even Emmanuel Eto’o. In a recent report, we explored the intricate relationship between African football stars and their fans on the continent. Known as “Boa” (his nickname), Boateng is currently on the sidelines and will miss the first leg of the 2014 World Cup play-offs against Egypt on Tuesday. Strangely, rather than evoking sympathy from the Black Stars’ faithful, this news seems to have further solidified their existing perceptions.
Speculations about an invented injury surround Boateng. He made himself available for Ghana again in June after ending a more than two-year international retirement. At that time, he cited recurring physical injuries due to the demanding schedule of playing for both his club and the national team. However, the player, who honed his skills at Hertha Berlin, was unable to take the field against Zambia (2-1) in the last group match of the qualifiers. He attributed his absence to the harsh pitch conditions in Kumasi, which allegedly took a toll on his delicate knee.
The disappointment of Black Stars fans over Boateng’s absence against the Chipolopolos remains, and the latest news has only fueled their skepticism. Particularly because the next match is still scheduled at the Baba Yara stadium, some fans have labeled Boateng an opportunist, accusing him of merely waiting for the World Cup to make a grand entrance.
