Mohamed Salisu’s inclusion in Ghana squad for World Cup depends on the coach – GFA

Ghana sealed qualification to the World Cup after edging Nigeria on an away goal rule at the Moshood Abiola Stadium last Tuesday.

On Friday, the world football governing body held the draw for the 2022 World Cup tournament to be staged in Qatar later this year where the Black Stars were paired against Portugal, Uruguay and Korea Republic.

Ghana will hope to make impact at the tournament and will have to get all their arsenals for the mundial.

However, the 2010 World Cup quarterfinalist are refusing to shut the door on Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu despite his hesitance to avail himself for national duty.

Salisu has been a long target of the West Africans but his consistent rejection of call-ups has left him without an international cap despite playing top-level football since 2018.

According to the communication director of the Ghana FA, Henry Asante Twum, Salisu’s inclusion in the Black Stars squad for the World Cup will depend on the coach.

“It [whether Salisu will be called for the World Cup] depends on the coach,” he told Citi TV.

“We’ve made overtures, about four or five times. CK Akonnor tried, he wasn’t successful, Milovan tried and he wasn’t successful.

“[Current Ghana caretaker boss Otto Addo] tried and he [Salisu] still thinks he needs 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, who has been on top form for Southampton has on numerous occasion turned down Ghana.

Former Black Stars coaches Kwesi Appiah, CK Akonnor and Milovan Rajevac tried but their effort proved futile.

Before the crucial play-off against Nigeria, interim Ghana coach Otto Addo tried but Salisu insisted he is not ready for national duty.

Salisu has been in outstanding form for Southampton in the Premier League this season, making 27 appearances involving 26 starts so far.

He joined The Saints in 2020 after impressing for Real Valladolid in La Liga, having reportedly turned down offers from the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid.