Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu has changed his mind and is now ready to play for Ghana, according to his uncle Yakubu Ahmed.
The 22-year-old has informed his family of his choice to compete in the World Cup play-offs, according to Yakubu Ahmed.
On Sikka FM, he revealed that Salisu told Ghanaian football authorities of his decision to skip the Africa Cup of Nations and instead compete in the play-offs.
“He’ll be playing for Ghana in the near future.” He has stated that he will participate in the World Cup qualifying matches. On Friday, January 28, 2021, he cleared the air on his absence from the AFCON and assured his availability for the World Cup qualifiers,” he told Kumasi-based Sikka FM.
Yakubu Ahmed also mentioned some of the factors that prohibit his nephew from representing Ghana.
Salisu did not want to play for the Black Stars because of his dread of ‘juju’ and several mistakes made by the national U-17 team’s handlers in the past, according to him.
“Juju at Black Stars Camp is also one of the reasons Salisu isn’t reporting for all Black Stars call-ups,” he explained.
Salisu, according to Yakubu Ahmed, is still irritated by certain treatment he received from national Under-17 team management in the past.
He said the Black Starlets’ technical team declined to add Salisu to the squad at the time because the family couldn’t match their financial demands.
The quest to have Salisu play for Ghana has intensified after the Black Stars’ disastrous performance at the 2019 AFCON.
The 22-year-old is seen as one the key ingredients needed to solidify the Black Stars defence and help Ghana secure qualification to the World Cup.
But veteran football administrator Alhaji Grusah has revealed that Salisu has completely shut the door on Ghana.
“The Black Stars Chairman tasked me to speak to Salisu because he’s from Kumasi. I called his dad & he linked me to him. 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?,” Alhaji Grusah told Atinka FM.
“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,” he added.
Source: GhanaWish.com
