GFA boss rubbishes Kevin Boateng persuasion talks

Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi has denied that he is planning to talk to Kevin Prince Boateng to convince him to return to the Black Stars.

Boateng’s recent form for AC Milan coupled with the classic goal he scored against Barcelona has sparked a frenzy and muted calls for the midfielder to be convinced to return after his retirement from international football.

A section of the media has reported on Friday that the leader of the federation is planning talks in Italy to persuade the player to return after he retired from the Black Stars this month.

But Nyantakyi insists he has not spoken to anyone about Boateng talks and the federation is not keen on such talks.

“I have not spoken to anyone or any journalist about me going to speak with Kevin Prince Boateng,” Nyantakyi told GHANAsoccernet.com.

“I am shocked that something of this sort is being published when I have not spoken about it and I have no plans of doing anything of this sort.” The report claiming that Nyantakyi was planning the talks with Boateng sparked unease among some Black Stars players who have been uncomfortable about the way the midfielder has treated the country.

Planning such moves would be suicidal when high-ranking federation members are aware of the disquiet over Boateng among some of the players despite his smashing form.

German-born Boateng, raised in one of Berlin's toughest neighbourhoods, has enjoyed some spectacular moments in his second season with the Italian champions.

He scored in the Supercup win over Inter Milan in August and then struck a magnificent long-range goal in the Champions League win over BATE Borisov. That was followed by a 14-minute hat-trick immediately after he came on as a halftime substitute in a Serie A match at Lecce. Trailing 3-0, Milan bounced back to win 4-3.

On Wednesday, the player who models himself on Pele and Rivaldo produced a goal either Brazilian would have been proud of against Lionel Messi's Barca. Collecting a pass from Zlatan Ibrahimovic at an awkward height, the former Tottenham Hotspur, Borussia Dortmund and Portsmouth player flicked the ball through a defender's legs and fired a low shot between Victor Valdes and the near post.

For Ghana it was an untimely reminder of what they will be missing at the African Nations Cup in January.