Posted by Former Ghana midfielder Laryea Kingston has revealed why he was dropped from Ghana’s 2006 World Cup squad.
A red card against Senegal in Ghana’s second group game at the 2006 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) meant that Laryea was going to miss Ghana’s first two World Cup games.
Despite the unfortunate incident, expectations were that Laryea was going to make Ghana’s World Cup squad, but the former Hearts of Oak midfielder was left out.
Speaking in an interview with CITI TV, the former Hearts of Oak midfielder revealed that he wasn’t included in the squad because then head coach Ratomir Dujkovic didn’t believe Ghana would progress beyond the Group Stages of the tournament.
“Everyone knew I was going to miss the first two games if the suspension still stands, but I didn’t know I’ll be excluded from the World cup squad”, he told Citi Sports.
“Around that time, I was one of the core players in the team, so I wasn’t expecting to be excluded. I remember talking to the coach, Doya and he told me they didn’t have confidence in us making it to the next round because it was our first time at the World cup and since I had to miss the first 2 games, there was no point in me being part of the squad.
“For me, I think I worked tirelessly, I did my part, I was there to defend my country and I’m proud that I was part of the squad that qualified the country to her first World Cup,” he concluded.
Ghana however defied all odds to progress to the Group stage of the World Cup after defeating Czech Republic and United States of America.
The Black Stars’ journey at the tournament came to an end when they lost 3-0 to then World champions Brazil.