Essien Will Return To The Black Stars -Muntari

Sulley Muntari returned to the Black Stars last month – the first since the World Cup in South Africa in June last year.

Muntari was given a silent suspension from the team after a massive falling out with previous coach Milovan Rajevac.

New coach Goran Stevanovic made Muntari’s return to the team one of his key ambitions and recalled the Sunderland player for the friendly against Togo last month.

The enforcer repaid the faith shown in him by setting up one of the goals in the 4-1 win over the Hawks in Belgium and had excellent game.

In his first interview with the media since his return to the Black Stars, Muntari spoke exclusively to MTNFootball.com about his return, Michael Essien and the future of the Black Stars.

MTNFootball: How does it feel to return to the Black Stars?

SM: It was always heartwarming to play for my country and join my national team colleagues from various parts of Europe to share jokes and conversation. Most importantly I love playing for the Black Stars and keen on serving my nation to make the people of my country proud and happy.

MTNFootball: Since the World Cup you were not called so were you worried that you were not going to be called again?

SM: I was always hopeful that if I keep myself in top shape and continue to play well for my club I will have the chance of playing for my country again. So I was at Inter Milan with little playing time and my concentration was to fight to get some playing time to enable me return for the Black Stars.

MTNFootball: Why do you think new coach Goran Stevanovic wanted you to play a key part for the future?

SM: I can’t say why he wanted me to return but I had a telephone conversation with him when he took over the post and I was then at Inter so he came to Milan to meet me over the future of the Black Stars and he promised to call me for the Togo game and I am grateful he recognizes my talent as key to the team. I also want to assure Ghanaians and the coach that I will work hard to make the Black Stars better together with my colleagues.

MTNFootball: You were played in a more advanced role for the Togo game, an opportunity you didn’t have under previous coach Milovan Rajevac. How did it feel?

SM: I will say every coach has his style of play and as a player for your country you must be prepared to serve in any role you are given to bring success to your country. I am prepared to play in any role I am given to bring success to Ghana.

MTNFootball: Did the new role under play a part in you having an excellent game against Togo?

SM: Playing in a more advanced role especially on the left of the attack or just behind the strikers is my favourite position and I think that’s why the Togo game allowed me to show what I am capable of doing. You could see in that Togo game that I was able to excellently switch positions with Kwadwo Asamoah and that worked perfectly for both of us. I have to also say that if a player is deployed in a position that the coach thinks can help the team, the player should be prepared to serve.

MTNFootball: With you return and the likelihood of Essien returning to the team while the presence of others like Kevin Prince Boateng, Dede Ayew, John Mensah and Asamoah Gyan really make the Black Stars strong.

SM: The Black Stars is always a strong squad because we have talented players from Ghana who are always fighting for their position in the team and that’s healthy if the squad wants to evolve continuously and achieve results.

MTNFootball: Ghana achieved a lot under previous coach Milovan Rajevac by reaching the final of the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup quarter finals. Where do you think you can reach at under Stevanovic?

SM: We have got no option but to win something next year and that’s the Africa Cup of Nations title. It is not enough to say that we played well and got to an advanced stage of the competition. We did a great deal under the previous coach and achieved a lot. But it is time for us to win something if we are to show that we are really good.

MTNFootball: You are a close friend of Michael Essien and there’s been a debate in Ghana whether he will return to the national team or not. Do you think Essien will return to the national team?

SM: I have spoken with Michael and he will return to the national team. He loves his country and he is a very talented and influential player. He is a very good addition to the squad and I have no doubt that he will return.

MTNFootball: You are a Ghana patriot who has it on record to weep in press conference when you score goals for the Black Stars. Yet you have been at the end of some vitriolic attacks on your personality back home. How does it feel when you hear these criticisms of you?

SM: It is part of the game get some criticism. It is now all in the past and I want to concentrate on my future with the Black Stars.