By Ameenu Shardow
Ghana defender Richard Kissi-Boateng insists his move to TP Mazembe was not for the money as many believe but rather to improve as a footballer.
The ex Berekum Chelsea player was one of four Ghanaian players that joined the DR Congo giants at the beginning of the season.
Kissi-Boateng alongside; Yaw Frimpong, Daniel Nii Adjei, Solomon Asante (all internationals) and Gladson Awako left the Ghana Premier League in favour of the more lucrative league in the DR Congo.
But left-back Kissi-Boateng remains adamant his move to the four-time African champions was not influenced by money.
"I am not here because of the money. In life, if you don't face challenges, you can't judge yourself against anything," Boateng told the BBC.
"We came here to play football and improve. I experienced five years playing with Liberty, moved to Libya and came back to Ghana.
"Sometimes you need to step ahead and go and face challenges somewhere.
"There are a lot of big players at TP from big countries. To judge yourself as a big player, you have to mingle with the best on the continent."
The move of the quintet to DR Congo is being interpreted by many as part of the decline of the domestic league in Ghana.
Numerous budding stars in the Glo Premier League have left the shores of Ghana in search of greener pastures with some ending up at destinations not noted for their football.
Meanwhile clubs in Ghana continue to struggle against their peers on the continent during African inter-club competitions.
Both Ghanaian representatives in this year’s CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup; Asante Kotoko and New Edubiase all crashed out of the competitions without even making the group stage.