Ghana needs Mohammed Salisu – Ex-Black Stars defender Sam Johnson

Former Ghana international Sam Johnson has said Mohammed Salisu must be convinced to play for the Black Stars ahead of the 2022 World Cup to be staged in Qatar.

The Southampton defender has rejected several invitations to represent Ghana at the international level, allegedly stating that he isn’t ready yet.

The 22-year-old has been chased by the Ghana Football Association since 2019 to honour an invite. He has been invited by former coaches Kwesi Appiah, Charles Kwabla Akonnor, Milovan Rajevac and Otto Addo.

His consistent rejection of the Black Stars has angered some fans, as they have labelled the former Real Valladolid defender as unpatriotic.

Some fans are calling on the FA to stop chasing him to play for the Black Stars.

However, Sam Johnson believes the centre-back will be needed for the World Cup and the GFA must try and convince him to play for Ghana.

“We still need players in the team. Those who are playing better than those we currently have now in the team.  Salisu is a Ghanaian and because of some reason, he doesn’t want to come. Let’s get some people to talk to him and convince him. Sometimes it is because of the way we handle them. So we have to be careful”, he told Happy FM.

The former Hearts of Oak defender added, Salisu Mohammed will be key for Ghana’s squad going into the World Cup due to his quality.

“It doesn’t matter if he didn’t play in the qualifiers. It doesn’t work like that in the national team because some players laboured in the qualifiers so they should play in the World Cup. The GFA must go and talk to him”.