Former Ghana international Kevin-Prince Boateng has opened up on his early experiences with the Black Stars, revealing how the atmosphere in camp initially left him surprised before the team switched into full competitive mode at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Boateng, who joined Ghana ahead of the tournament in South Africa, admitted he initially questioned the seriousness of the squad due to the relaxed and playful environment in camp.
“When I joined camp, I looked around and thought… ah, this team is not serious at all,” he said.
He described a lively dressing room filled with jokes, laughter, and constant games of football tennis, with players enjoying themselves during preparations.
“Everybody was laughing, playing football tennis and enjoying themselves,” Boateng recalled.
He also singled out former striker Asamoah Gyan for his energetic and carefree personality at the time, joking about his dancing and upbeat presence around camp.
“Then there was Asamoah Gyan dancing everywhere. I asked him, ‘Boss, are you a dancer or a footballer?’” he said.
However, Boateng stressed that everything changed once the tournament began and Ghana stepped onto the pitch in South Africa.
According to him, the entire squad underwent a complete mental transformation once competitive action started.
“But the moment the World Cup games started, everything changed completely,” he explained.
“Once we stepped onto the pitch, everyone switched mentality. The jokes stopped, the focus came in and everybody was ready to fight for Ghana.”
Boateng said that experience helped him understand the identity and unity within the Black Stars setup, especially during major tournaments.
“That’s when I understood the spirit of the Black Stars,” he added.
