Former Ghana International Backs Calls for Muntari’s Black Stars Inclusion

• John Paintsil has joined the bandwagon calling for the inclusion of Sulley Muntari in the Black Stars squad
• Since joining his boyhood club, Muntari has rolled back the years and delivered consistent performances from midfield leading to the clarion call
• Meanwhile, Ghana is yet to name its squad to face Nigeria in what promises to be a titanic showdown for a slot in Qatar

Former Black Stars defender John Paintsil contends the inclusion of Sulley Muntari in the senior men's national team will not be out of place.

Muntari, 37, has enjoyed a stellar relaunch of his career following his two-year absence from active football.

The former Inter Milan has mustered six outings for Hearts of Oak with a goal and an assist to boot.

His impressive display for the Phobians has led to a truckload of calls for his inclusion to the Black Stars ahead of Ghana's crucial World Cup play-offs against old-time foes Nigeria.

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Owing to Muntari's fine form at Hearts, Paintsil believes it will not be a bad idea for coach Otto Addo to include him in his squad to face the Super Eagles.

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea to include Sulley in the national team because he is still young and the local league is also very competitive so if he is playing every week and based on what the supporters have seen if they think that he can help the national team, they have every right to call for him to help the team.” The former Fulham full-back told Graphic Sports.

Paintsil, who played together with Sulley at the national team level, opines the experience of the Konongo-born midfielder will be of great service to Ghana.

“I think his experience and his dedication will also help the team but if the coach also wants to add him I think it will be fair since he is actively playing and he deserves it,” Paintsil stated.

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John Paintsil predicts doom for coach Milovan Rajevac and Black Stars ahead of 2021 AFCON

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that John Paintsil, retired Ghana Black Stars footballer, has said Milovan Rajevac's final 28-man Black Stars squad for the 2021 AFCON lacks the experience to win it.

Paintsil, who captained the Black Stars in a third-place play-off with Mali in the AFCON in 2012, said even though the Serbian manager had the ability, he lacked the team needed to win the AFCON.

Comparing Milovan Rajevac's current Black Stars team to that of 2010, which Paintsil himself was a part of, the former Fulham defender said, the 2010 group were "masters of their own only taking instructions".