Former Ghana international Alfred Duncan has opened up about his decision to step away from the Black Stars, citing a lack of respect and appreciation during his time with the national team.
In an interview with Sporty FM, the Fiorentina midfielder explained that he felt undervalued despite his performances at club level, leading him to retire from international duty in May 2022.
"With the national team, it's kind of complicated... because I wasn't getting the respect I think I deserved," Duncan stated. "It was best to part ways in order for the younger ones or the ones they think were right for the team to get the chance to play."
The 30-year-old midfielder, now playing for Venezia, struggled to secure regular playing time with Ghana despite consistently impressing in Serie A. Since making his debut in 2012, he earned only a handful of caps, often finding himself overlooked in key moments.
However, Duncan emphasized that his decision was not about personal frustration but about ensuring the national team had the best players available to succeed.
"The most important thing was for the country to reach the heights it deserved, not about who had to play or who had to be on the bench. Since I wasn’t getting enough playing time, I thought it was best to step aside for the right players to play," he added.
Duncan’s last appearance for the Black Stars came in November 2019 during Ghana’s 2-0 victory over South Africa in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
His comments have reignited discussions about player selection and the treatment of national team players within the Ghanaian football setup.
