Ghana are refusing to shut the door on Mohammed Salisu ahead of the 2022 World Cup regardless of the Southampton defender’s hesitance to avail himself for nationwide responsibility.
The Black Stars are set to make a return to the worldwide gathering after beating Nigeria on the away targets rule to e-book a spot in Qatar on Tuesday.
Editors’ Picks
Salisu has been a protracted goal of the West Africans however his constant rejection of call-ups has left him with out a world cap regardless of enjoying top-level soccer since 2018.
“It [whether Salisu will be called for the World Cup] depends on the coach,” Ghana Football Association communications director Henry Asante Twum instructed Citi TV.
“We’ve made overtures, about 4 or 5 instances. CK Akonnor tried, he wasn’t profitable, Milovan tried and he wasn’t profitable.
“[Current Ghana caretaker boss Otto Addo] tried and he [Salisu] nonetheless thinks he wants time.
“I think we have gotten to a point where we feel we should rather focus on players who are willing and ready to play [for us] than players who are dragging their feet.”
Salisu was handed a primary Ghana call-up for a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier towards South Africa however turned down the 2019 invitation from then Black Stars coach James Kwasi Appiah.
CK Akonnor, who changed Appiah as Ghana coach in 2020, continued the search to safe the defender’s availability for worldwide assignments however failed, revealing Salisu made it clear he was “not ready” to symbolize the nationwide group.
Former Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac, who led Ghana to the latest Africa Cup of Nations event in Cameroon, made related feedback when requested of the 22-year-old’s absence from the Black Stars.
Ahead of Ghana’s conflict with Nigeria, Black Stars Management Committee member Alhaji Karim Grunsah revealed the defender was as soon as once more contacted however rejected the decision.
Salisu has been in excellent kind for Southampton within the Premier League this season, making 27 appearances involving 26 begins to this point.
He joined The Saints in 2020 after impressing for Real Valladolid in La Liga, having reportedly turned down presents from the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid.