Former Ghana international Alfred Duncan has shed light on his decision to step away from the Black Stars, citing a lack of respect and appreciation during his time with the national team.
Speaking to Sporty FM, the Fiorentina midfielder explained that his exit was necessary to allow younger players or those deemed more suitable by the technical team to get opportunities.
“With the national team, it’s kind of complicated… because I wasn’t getting the respect I think I deserved,” Duncan revealed. “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.”
Duncan, 30, officially announced his retirement from international football in May 2022, citing years of mistreatment and a lack of recognition for his contributions. Despite his consistent performances in Serie A, he often found himself on the fringes of the national team setup, earning just a handful of caps since his debut in 2012.
Nonetheless, the Venezia midfielder emphasised that his playing time was less important than the success of the national team.
By stepping aside, he believed he was creating opportunities for players better suited to help the team achieve its goals.
“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 call-up came during Ghana’s qualification campaign for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he featured in Ghana’s 2-0 win over South Africa in November 2019.
