Some loyal Ghanaian football fans have called on the football authorities to consider calling back Sulley Muntari into the National Team, the Black Stars.
Abraham Nkansah, President of the popular Die Hard Sports Supporters Union has appealed to the President Elect of Ghana, Nana Akuffo Addo and incoming Minister of Youth & Sports, President of the GFA and if possible the next Parliament to pardon the former Black Stars intelligent midfielder and allow him to participate in the upcoming AFCON 2017 to be hosted in Gabon.
According to Nkansah popularly known as “Apirigu Chakapma”, Sulley Muntari may have sinned, but his service is needed and the nation must show love and forgiveness, so that winning opportunities and favours would come the way of the Black Stars who last won the African Nations Cup in 1982.
He noted that as a fan, he has followed the team on many occasions, so he knows what is good to produce a winning team. He said Sulley Muntari cannot play forever. “Very soon, he may retire and this is the best time to use him, because he has the experience as well as thirst for honours”.
He named Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan as some of the few selfless players who have can do anything to ensure victory for the Black Stars.
Mary Osei Gyambrah Secretary of the Die Hard Supporters who added her voice said Ghana has been starved over football honours at the senior level for a very long time and 2017 offers an opportunity that there must be unity and love among the football people to achieve the desired result.
She said football is enjoyed when the best players are on the field, because everyone want to watch quality.
“We have to feature our best players if we want to win AFCON 2017, and Sulley Muntari is one of Ghana’s finest and best players. I want to apologise on his behalf if he has offended anyone that has detached him from the Black Stars” She said.
Other Sports Callers on Radio have supported the return of Sulley Muntari claiming the Black Stars lack experienced goal scorers that is why they have not won in their last five games.
The Black Stars team for AFCON 2017 is expected to be named some and coach Avram Grant has already noticed that he may need the services of Sulley Muntari and Kevin Prince Boateng who were banned after Ghana’s abysmal performance at Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana has performed very well in the last four editions of the African Cup, coming out as Runners-Up in the last tournament in 2015 in Equatorial Guinea.
Ghana has won the African Cup 4 times, the last in 1982 when Cameroun had not even won one. The Lions of Cameroun have won 5 times. The Pharaohs of Egypt are the leading winners with 7 victories.
Ghana is paired in the same Group with Egypt, Uganda and Mali for the first round of Gabon 2017.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
