Former captain of Black Stars, Stephen Appiah has expressed his enduring sadness over Laryea Kingston’s inability to participate in any of the World Cups with Ghana.
Kingston was excluded from Ghana’s squad for the 2006 World Cup due to a suspension he carried from the Africa Cup of Nations, which took place a few months before the global tournament.
Similarly, in the 2010 edition, despite being instrumental in Ghana’s qualification for the competition in South Africa, the winger was once again left out of the final squad by coach Milovan Rajevac.
Appiah, who shared the dressing room with Kingston, believes that the absence of the latter made the Black Stars feel “incomplete.” Reflecting on the situation, Appiah mentioned the team’s naivety in 2006 regarding the rules, citing the example of England including Rooney in their World Cup squad despite his suspension.
“We were naive [in 2006] about the rules…England took Rooney to the World Cup despite him being on suspension. If we had that knowledge in 2006, we would have pleaded with the GFA to add Laryea to the team because it was two games,” he said in an interview on Joy Sports’ Prime Take.
“I am [pained] because Laryea was one of the players that when I look back, even though we played at the World Cup in 2006 and 2010, it looks as if we were not complete.
“Not because of his football but he should have been there because of his sacrifices. He was part of those who sacrificed. To date, I still feel bad,” he added.
Laryea Kingston himself has previously expressed his frustration at not being able to represent Ghana at the World Cup. He currently serves as the assistant coach of Ghana’s U-17 side and recently led them to victory in the UEFA four-nation tournament in Serbia during their European tour.
