VIDEO: KP Boateng reveals teammates' deserted him after 2014 World Cup expulsion
6th October 2023
Former Ghana midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng has opened up about his experience of being expelled from the Black Stars camp during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, revealing that his teammates abandoned him in a challenging moment despite his efforts to fight for their interests.
Boateng and Sulley Muntari were both expelled from the national team camp due to gross misconduct during the tournament.
Boateng explained that he had engaged with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) hierarchy to address what he perceived as mistreatment of the players.
However, his candid critique did not sit well with the GFA management committee.
In an interview with Vibe with Five, Boateng lamented the lack of support from his fellow players during this difficult time.
He emphasized that he wasn't fighting for himself but for the team's interests.
Boateng expressed his disappointment by stating, "No one [spoke]. I wasn't fighting for myself. I was fighting for the team. I saw them while going out with my luggage, and it was the worst moment. I said to [Muntari], the real team will say 'we are all not playing.'"
The expulsion from the Black Stars camp marked the end of a challenging chapter in Boateng's career, as he never returned to represent Ghana on the international stage.
Meanwhile, Ghana faced a disappointing World Cup campaign in 2014.
Despite an impressive 2-2 draw against Germany in one of their matches, they went on to lose 2-1 to Portugal in the final group-stage match, resulting in their early elimination from the tournament.
This marked one of Ghana's worst performances at the World Cup.
Kevin Prince Boateng eventually retired from professional football in August 2023, concluding a remarkable career that spanned nearly two decades and featured stints with various clubs across Europe.
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