Real Valladolid central defender Salisu Mohammed is ready to honour invitation to represent Ghana at the senior national team level, says the family.
Black Stars coach CK Akonnor in an interview with Accra-based Angel FM, stated that attempts to reach the in-demand defender to feature for the four-time African champions has been futile.
Akonnor said during the interview that ‘“Yes, we’ve tried to reach out to him [Salisu Mohammed] but we’ve been unsuccessful,”
The 21-year-old was handed a debut call-up to the senior national team of Ghana for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe last year.
However, Salisu failed to honour the call-up under Coach Kwasi Appiah citing injury as an ‘excuse’ for his absence.
Akonnor added that the Ghana FA’s contact to invite the promising centre back to represent Ghana has been turned down by the player.
Multiple reports in the Ghanaian media claimed the Southampton and Stade Rennes target, has made up his mind to to feature for the Black Stars but his family has however watered down such reports, insisting their son is ever ready to serve his country.
PRESS STATEMENT ON SALISU MOHAMMED’S ABSENCE FROM NATIONAL DUTIES.
The family of Abdul Karim Salisu Mohammed wish to correct and clarify news gaining momentum in some media circles which seems to suggest that our son has rejected the opportunity to play for the senior national team, the Black Stars.
We further wish to state unequivocally that our son is a proud Ghanaian and very ready to represent Ghana at every level and time. He is so much enthused to be associated with the Black Stars since it has been his dream to play for Ghana at the highest level.
However, we have received media reports on the contrary and it is really disturbing that journalists failed to ascertain the truth of his absence from national duties.
Salisu was indeed invited to play for the South Africa and São Tomé games for the African Cup qualification but he was slightly injured then. He did not want to represent his beloved country with a hidden injury.
Again, Salisu availed himself for call ups into the junior national teams but he got those invitations at an unfavorable time of his career in Spain.
It is our wish that in subsequent matches of the Black Stars, our son will be available and represent the country.
We hope this statement will put to rest the numerous media conjectures and unproductive rumors which is geared at creating dissatisfaction by Ghanaians against our son. Salisu Mohammed is committed to the course of helping Ghana win an African Cup and qualification to the World Cup once again.
Thank you.
Family of Abdul Karim Salisu Mohammed.
