Black Stars Coach Otto Addo Opens Up on Mohammed Salisu’s Reluctance to Play for Ghana

• Following Ghana's recent World Cup qualification, there has been a lot of discussion on whether Salisu should be invited to the Black Stars after several failed attempts
• Salisu was handed an invitation for the World Cup play-off doubleheader but reportedly declined the invitation
• However, Otto Addo, who guided Ghana to her fourth World Cup qualification says there are more nuances to Salisu's continuous absence from the national team

Caretaker manager of the Black Stars Otto Addo has shed light on Mohammed Salisu's unavailability for the senior men's national team.

Following Black Stars' recent qualification to the 2022 World Cup, football fans in the West African nation have been divided on whether the country should continue in pursuit of the Southampton guardsman.

Salisu has been a top target for the Ghana Football Association, who have made several attempts to lure the former Real Valladolid defender to play for the Black Stars.

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Despite several attempts by top government officials and the football federation to convince the 22-year-old defender, it has proved futile.

Opening up on why Salisu, who has been one of the revelations in the English Premier League this season, has continuously declined call-ups to the national team Otto Addo told Accra-based Starr FM.

"I got to know Mohamed. I went to Southampton two months ago. We had very good talks."

He continued: "For you to understand [his reluctance to honouring his call-up to the national team], it will take longer. I don't want to talk about him. Maybe it is his decision if he wants to talk [about his continuous absence from the Black Stars]."

Addo revealed Salisu's reluctance is not straightforward as it is projected in the media but it will take quite some time before he finally decides to play for the Black Stars.

"But as an outsider, it's easy to say he doesn't want to play for Ghana. There are a lot of reasons and I understand him for his reasons."

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"And I really appreciate him for taking the time for me to explain his stance to me and I hope the time will come."

When asked if Salisu will ever change his dogmatic stance, Otto reckoned: "It will come. He wants to play for Ghana. Maybe not now"

GFA vice president sheds light on frantic efforts made to convince Salisu to play for Black Stars

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee, Mark Addo has disclosed the football federation made frantic efforts to convince Mohammed Salisu to play for Ghana but proved futile.

The 22-year-old has been reluctant to play for the country of his birth with widespread reports suggesting his snub at the youth level has been the contributing factor to his dogmatic stance on not playing for Ghana.

Despite his reluctance, the Ghana Football Association has been making frenetic efforts to ensure they snap up the former Real Valladolid central defender.