Akwasi Appiah: 'Doors not shut on Sulley'

Stand-in Ghana coach Akwesi Appiah claims the national team doors are not shut on Sulley Muntari despite being overlooked in his 20-man squad for next month’s 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Muntari fell out with departed Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac for his persistent disruptive behaviour at the World Cup finals in South Africa.

The Inter Milan ace was excluded from the Serb’s squad that played South Africa in an international friendly in August and missed last month’s Nations Cup opener at Swaziland.

It was reported the 27-year-old’s international future was over under Rajevac because of his repetitive disciplinary problems.

But with Rajevac signing for Saudi side Ahli Jeddah, Muntari could chart his way back into the Black Stars squad.

“As to why he wasn’t called-up for this match, he would be considered for subsequent matches since he has started playing for his club,” Ghana stop-gap coach Akwesi Appiah told Ghanasoccernet.com

“Muntari is still a national team player and you cannot rule him out. He had problems with the coach but was used at the World Cup and it’s only the last two matches he was invited.”

Muntari scored Ghana’s goal in open play against Uruguay as they exited the World Cup at the quarter-final stage on penalties.

Last Saturday, Muntari replaced striker Gabriel Milito on 67 minutes in Inter’s 1-0 defeat to AS Roma.