Super Eagles vs. Black Stars: Ghana urged to shun former Inter Milan star

The two West African neighbours clash on March 25th and 29th in the playoff round of the 2022 World Cup

Former Ghana international Charles Taylor has called on the handlers of the Black Stars not to bow to fans’ pressure asking that veteran midfielder Sulley Muntari be included in the squad preparing to face the Super Eagles in a fortnight.

Nigeria and their eternal rivals, Ghana, face off in the final qualifying round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup scheduled for Qatar later in the year.

Super Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen has invited 25 players for the crucial two-legged clash while placing another seven on standby.

But with only two weeks to the first leg of the tie in Cape Coast, Ghana are yet to release the list of players to prosecute the games officially.

After the Black Stars’ struggles at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, it is no surprise to see Ghanaian fans calling for the introduction of tested and trusted legs in their national team.

A veteran of the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups, former Inter Milan man Sulley Muntari remains a fan favourite. Muntari is back in the Ghanaian elite league, featuring for Hearts of Oak. 

But at 37, 2010 UEFA Champions League winner Muntari is past his prime, and four-time Ghana Premier League winner Taylor believes his countryman could be a liability to the Black Stars against the Eagles.

“Sulley Muntari is not a Black Stars material for the Nigeria clash,” Taylor told Angel TV, as per FootballGhana.

“We need serious players! He should focus on Hearts, so he gains fitness; he can be called when Ghana qualifies for the World Cup.”

The Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Nigeria have made it to six of the last seven editions of the Mundial.