Kevin-Prince Boateng: Ghana Midfielder Slams Coach For Not Including Him in Starting Lineup

Kevin-Prince Boateng: Ghana Midfielder Slams Coach For Not Including Him in Starting Lineup
Ghana's Kevin-Prince Boateng, center. attempts to get the ball past United States' Kyle Beckerman, left, DaMarcus Beasley, No7 and United States' John Brooks during the group G World Cup soccer match between Ghana and the United States at the Arena das Dunas in Natal, Brazil, Monday, June 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
Zachary Stieber
6/18/2014
Updated:
7/18/2015

Kevin-Prince Boateng, midfielder with Ghana, has slammed coach Kwesi Appiah for not including him in the starting lineup against the USA on Monday.

Many were surprised by the omission of the Schalke star and midfielder Michael Essien in the lineup.

Ghana lost 1-2 in the crucial game, meaning they'll have to beat either Portugal or Germany and get a draw against the other to even have a chance of advancing to the Round of 16.

“Yes, I was surprised,” Boateng told the Daily Star.

“Because you’re supposed to start with your best 11, but maybe the coach had a different idea.”

But Appiah hit back, defending his decision.

“I believe that young guys who played did well and my intention was to bring them on when the USA team get tired but these things happen,” he said.

“Kevin is good player. We decide to start with the 4-4-2 and I thought that Jordan Ayew and Gyan paired very well during our training sessions and that is the reason why I decided to start them. The tactics were to bring Kevin on in the second half.”

Appiah added to Goal.com that that the early goal--which came after just 30 seconds--really hurt. 

“I think that early goal was a disaster, it was unfortunate,” Appiah said post-match.

“Loss of concentration cost us big time. All I can say is that it was a very tough game and when you play at this high level any little mistake can cost you dearly. We had a lot of the ball and created a lot of chances, but we didn’t make the most of our chances, but USA took theirs.”