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Ex-Ghana captain CK Akunnor insists the Black Stars need sensational Kevin-Prince Boateng to excel at next year�s FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The 26-year-old is expected to return to the Black Stars squad ahead of next month�s World Cup play-off return fixture against Egypt in Cairo. Despite his impressive performance at German side Schalke, Boateng has not really endeared himself to many Ghanaian fans with claims he has faked injuries since he ended his self-imposed exile from the national team. With the West African powerhouse closing in on a historic third successive appearance at the global centre piece, Akunnor insists the role of the former AC Milan star will be invaluable to the success of the team should they qualify. �We need Kevin to be in the team. That is the honest truth. I think in this country sometimes we talk too much,� Akunnor said. �When he moved to Schalke we�ve all seen what he�s doing. Even his time at AC Milan, we all saw what he did there. �He is a big player in Germany now. He is a top notch player and these are the kind of people we need at the World Cup. �I don�t think he is faking an injury. Sometimes we must give people the benefit of the doubt. Even at Schalke, we are all witnesses to his injury situation. The guy has a medical problem and so we must be patient with him to get the best out of him. �Sometimes I blame some of you journalist. You sensationalize issues too much and make it look at if people are bad. �I have no reason to doubt his genuineness. He is a quality player whom we need to do well at the World Cup. �You may hate or like it, but the truth of the matter is that we need him at the World Cup. It�s as simple as that.� Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has not hidden his admiration for the ex-German youth international and will hesitate to include him in his squad should the Black Stars qualify to the north African country.