Black Stars goalkeeper Richard Kingson has rescinded his decision to quit the national team, the Black Stars following talks with the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Speaking to ETV Sports, the chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee Fred Pappoe said that the veteran goalkeeper has expressed remorse over his untimely announcement and is now on course to be in the post for the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier against Congo-Brazzaville in Kumasi.
The former Blackpool goalie in an interview with ETV last Tuesday gave hints that the qualifier could be his last game in the national team colours without giving any specific reason.
When asked about the morale in camp ahead of the game, Kingson said “the guys are ok. We are training hard.”
“But I think maybe that game will be the last game for me in the national team. Thank you, bye bye.”
Kingson’s unexpected announcement could pose some problems for the Star’s handlers because the team is still thought to be short of experienced hands at the moment despite the recall of veteran Sammy Adjei.
But Kingson, who was part of the historic Black Stars squad that qualified for the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, however failed to give reasons for his decision saying he will divulge the reasons “later.”
It is still not clear whether Kingson’s decision stems from the reaction of some fans at the Ohene Gyan stadium who jeered him during preparations towards the game with Congo.
The experienced goalkeeper lost his cool after a spectator accused him of putting up a lackluster performance last Monday.
The 32-year-old had to be restrained by some members of the technical team as he attempted to make his way out of the field to confront the fan.
A source close to the player has also confirmed that the player’s action was a direct reaction to fans who verbally abused him during training sessions at the Ohene Gyan stadium.
Meanwhile, ETV Sports Journalist, Erasmus Kwaw says he strongly dissociates himself from an earlier publication on the website www.ghanasoccernet.com May 31, 2011 which quoted him as having interviewed Richard Kingson at the end of the training session.
He described the story as being “in bad taste and the quotations attributed to me are completely false.”
Meanwhile, ETV is yet to broadcast the interview.
By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi