Nigeria handed boost as Southampton star shuns Black Stars ahead of 2022 World Cup playoff

Published: January 26, 2022

Southampton center back Mohammed Salisu has turned down a potential call-up to Ghana's Black Stars ahead of the eagerly anticipated 2022 World Cup playoff matches with West African rivals Nigeria in March.

The 22-year-old was born in Ghana and also qualifies to represent the country through his parents but has no international representation to date.

Salisu received his first call-up to the Ghana squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with South Africa and São Tomé and Príncipe but withdrew from the squad citing injury.

According to Ghanaian football administrator Alhaji Grusah, Salisu warned him to get off his case when he was recently contacted about the prospect of playing for the four-time African champions.

"The Black Stars Chairman tasked me to speak to Salisu because he's from Kumasi. I called his dad and he linked me to him," Grusah told Accra based Atinka FM.

"Salisu flatly told me to stay away from his matter. He questioned me that if he was my son,would I advise him to play for Ghana?

"I'm not the only person who has spoken to him. I know CK Akunnor went to him, he said he won't play.

"Even the GFA President said he found where his mother stays and went to her. I don't know what happened but the Salisu is not ready to play."

Grusah added : "He was angry when I called him. He insisted several times that I should stay out of the matter because he doesn't want to have any problem with me.

"I'm not going to involve myself in his matter again. I don't know the problem he has with the GFA but I will not call him again".

Ghana advanced to the third round of CAF matches for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification after finishing first in Group G with thirteen points, same number of points accumulated by Nigeria in Group C.

Igho Kingsley

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