Nyantakyi Speaks On Kevin

Ghana Football Association (GFA) boss Kwesi Nyantakyi says AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has been 'confined to the dustbin of history' of Ghana, insisting that no player is greater than the country.

The Ghana boss insists the federation will not talk to the AC Milan player about changing his decision to retire from the Black Stars.

Last week, a website reported that Nyantakyi was about to embark on a trip to Italy to convince the player to change his decision.

In an interview with Ghanasoccernet.com, the Ghana FA boss rubbished that report and renewed his comments that he was not interested in talking to the player.

'Kevin's issue is history. I don't have any intention of going back to him. Those who are there are capable of carrying the team on its shoulders,' Nyantakyi will say on the OtiAdjei Report due to broadcast on TV3 at 10pm on Thursday.

Nyantakyi says the Black Stars thrived on the absence of great players like Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari at last year's Nations Cup and they would continue to excel without Boateng.

'The strength of Ghana is always in the team and not individuals. None of them is indispensable,' Nyantakyi said.

'We went to the Nations Cup in Angola without Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah.

'Those were the best players we had at the time. Now we have Kevin, Gyan, Dede, Mensah and others. Kevin is not available. We must look ahead and not look behind.

'I thank God that Kevin's issue came two months before the Nations Cup,' he added.

'If it had come any closer it would definitely have had an effect on our preparations and our chances of winning. It just happened like a storm in the cup.'

Nyantakyi said Ghanaians must forget about Kevin Prince Boateng and concentrate on the players who are committed to the country.

'I think we must confine the issue of Kevin to the dustbin of history and move forward,' Nyantakyi said.

'We have very important assignments ahead and the immediate one is winning the Nations Cup.

'I have had meetings with the players and the issue I have drummed home several times is that we must not be bogged down by Kevin.

'Ghana's history is replete with so many cases of star players giving way to unknown people who became stars.'

Boateng quit the Black Stars this month after his association with the country helped him to gain a bumper move to AC Milan.

Some have been calling for him to be persuaded to return after excelling in recent matches for the Italian side.

Ghanasoccernet.com