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Ex-Middlesbrough captain Boateng reveals how Ghana snub led to Netherlands international future

Former Netherlands midfielder of Ghanaian descent, George Boateng, reveals he could have made a different choice about his international future had he been approached by the four-time African champions for a switch of allegiance.

Born in the Ghanaian city of Nkawkaw, the erstwhile Middlesbrough skipper moved to the Netherlands as a little boy to stay with his dad.

Following a 1994-95 breakthrough at Excelsior, he was snapped up by Feyenoord where he caught the eye of the Dutch national youth team handlers.

Six years after debuting for Jong Oranje, he grabbed a maiden senior international appearance in a 1-1 draw in Denmark in 2001.