I think we judge talent wrong. What do we see as talent? I think I made the same mistake myself.
We judge talent by people’s ability to strike a cricket ball. The sweetness, the timing, that’s the only we see as talent. Things like determination, courage, discipline, temperament; these are also talent Rahul Dravid
I was flipping through my stock of quotes and I came across the above by one of the most revered and respected gem that have graced the cricket grass. His statement was relevant then but it’s more consequential as I give my opinion on embattled Kevin Prince Boateng. Some have called him opportunist; others have described him with the expression that pleases them.
For me, Kevin is no goal area as far the Black Star is concern. He (Kevin) like his two compatriots Muntari and Essien have been hailed, celebrated and praised all through their time with senior national because of their ability to “kick football” with sweetness and at the right moment.
Kevin showed great deed of determination and courage at the club level hence propelled his place in the Black Stars but little did he knew, talent is not about striking the ball alone. He forgot to appreciate that there are two powerful human instincts which if not curtail will hunt you; temperament and discipline.
Discipline is just a word but it has the power to do and undo. With no disrespect to Las Palmas football club but I have no doubt in my mind that if Kevin had watched his attitude and the manner he carried himself and had paid attention to his talent, he could be playing for either Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Who told Prince-Boateng Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo and other great players does not have temperament and bad side! They are humans like he (Kevin) but what they have done best is to respect their talent as a duty call- it’s for this that they continue to be the field icons. One moment of bad temperament will be enough to shatter talent and a moment of self-control will save you the blushes.
Black Stars encompassing of local players is assured of discipline and the zeal to fight for the nation, in the same way a Star team that has Lionel Mess, Sergio Ramos, Ronaldo, Iniesta but still has the shadows of Kevin Prince, Sulley Muntari and Michaell Essien of today is till destined to fail.
Is being reported or highlighted that aforementioned is putting his pieces together at his found Las Palmas hence people pushing his return to the Black Stars. I don’t believe he has added anything to game-if is playing like Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho, that is his business and nobody cares about his resurgence.
Even at his prime in 2010 at South Africa and Brazil 2014, Kevin didn’t win the World cup for Ghana not today where indiscipline and temperament has crippled his effort. He can decide to add the legs of Messi, Ronaldo, Suarez, Neymar and all the best players in the world, for me and few Ghanaians Who still believe Ghana is bigger than anyone, Kevin must not be given any opportunity again. He cannot be trusted.
We must learn to put the past behind us and eschew that Ghanaian attitude “let’s give him the chance “and manage to put people like Kevin aside and put measures that will revive the dwindling Black Stars- AFCON and Russia 2018 beacons, that should be our priority not people who bring shame and disgrace.
