Boateng is not the target for Germany

ERASMIA // Germany will try to avoid focusing on Kevin-Prince Boateng when they play Ghana in their decisive Group D match on Wednesday. Boateng knocked Michael Ballack, the Germany captain, out of the World Cup with his tackle in the English FA Cup final, injuring Ballack's ankle. But Oliver Bierhoff, Germany's general manager, said yesterday: "We are playing Ghana, not Kevin-Prince Boateng. Feelings about one person have to be set aside."

Germany need to win to be sure of advancing. Boateng, who grew up in Berlin, played for Germany's junior sides before switching allegiance to the country of his father. Asked if Germany could have used the experience of Ballack against Serbia, Bierhoff said: "It would have been good to have had him from the start, not only against Serbia." Jerome, Boateng's half brother, is in Germany's squad at the tournament. The Boatengs have the same Ghanaian father and different German mothers. Both grew up in Berlin but in different circumstances. Kevin-Prince is the product of a tough working-class neighbourhood, while Jerome lived in an up-market district in western Berlin.

Neither of the brothers have even been to Ghana. They played together at Hertha Berlin before going their own ways. Kevin-Prince now plays for Portsmouth the English team, while Jerome is leaving Germany's Hamburg to play for Manchester City. Both half brothers were in Germany's Under 21 squad. When one player had to be cut from the squad, Kevin-Prince was the victim of a vote by the team council, which reportedly objected to his late arrival for several meetings. He then decided to play for Ghana.

Matthias Sammer, the sports director of the German football federation, told Spiegel magazine: "A lack of discipline and egotism can be discerned in Kevin-Prince. When it comes to his athletic and mental constitution, Jerome is the stronger player." * AP