Ghana coach Charles Kwabla Akonnor has explained the reason behind Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu’s omission from the Black Stars squad ahead of the Mali friendly. The former Real Valladolid defender is yet to make an appearance in the Black Stars team after dropping out of the squad last year when invited to play the 2020/21 AFCON qualifiers against South Africa and São Tomé due to injury.
Salisu who recently joined English side Southampton in the ongoing transfer window is yet to feature for his new club due to match fitness.
Akonnor in naming his 23-man squad for the friendly against Mali next month in Turkey explained why the 21-year old is missing from the sqaud.
“He is not in the team because I heard his coach spoke about him in terms of fitness level. They are looking at October after the national games, before he will be back. Based on that, I want to give him a chance to rest and get fit and start a game in Southampton and then we will look forward to get him on board”, Akonnor told Ghanafa.org
Ghana will take on Mali on October 9 in Antalya, Turkey.
The two teams will use the game as preparations ahead of their respective matches in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.