Sulley Ali Muntari
The former AC Milan midfielder has finally apologised to the Ghana Football Association and Ghanaians for his shameful conduct during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
But doing this albeit the Black Stars's qualification to the 2017 AFCON tournament would leave many to think he is an opportunistic character.
The 31-year-old was dismissed from Ghana's camp in Brasilia along with firebrand Kevin-Prince Boateng who reportedly attacked then Ghana head coach Kwesi Appiah and swore at him.
Muntari was expected to render an apology for his conduct but the Al Ittihad midfielder waited for two years as he felt he was fighting for the entire team and did nothing wrong.
The Ghanaian football fraternity has greeted the influential midfielder's apology with mixed reaction with former Ghana Olympic coach J E Sarpong kicking against recalling the former Portsmouth and Inter Milan star to the national team though he wants his apology accepted.
But 2001 FIFA U20 World Cup Ghana coach E K Afranie insists Muntari is still relevant to the West African giants because of his rich vein of experience.
Muntari has courted troubles while in the Black Stars, and a section of Ghanaian fans feel he belongs to the old era of Michael Essien and Kevin-Prince Boateng.
Muntari, Essien and Kevin-Prince Boateng - Old Era
Muntari, Michael Essien and Kevin-Prince Boateng have not had any place in Ghana's team since the botched 2014 World Cup campaign.
Essien was not linked to any of the troubles but issued a statement suggesting there was a crack within the Black Stars team. The former Chelsea man labelled the Bison has had playing time problems at club level since joining AC Milan and leaving to join Greek side Panathinaikos. Portland Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey who has recently ended his self-imposed exile-also granted interview in his native Norway expressing support for the trio.
Boateng, who was making his second FIFA World Cup appearance, is noted for sparking problems within the Ghana national team and is not expected to be handed a place in the Ghana team soon.
Essien and Muntari played crucial roles in all three of Ghana's World Cup appearances. Ghana's midfield featuring the pair along with Stephen Appiah and Juventus star Kwadwo Asamoah was regarded as the best in Africa and one of the best on the globe after qualifying Ghana to three straight FIFA World Cup appearances and reaching five semi-final berths in the AFCON since 2008.
Ghana flourished within their era and was once the number one ranked country in Africa according to the FIFA Coca-Cola rankings.
However Ghana has survived beyond the Essien, Appiah, Muntari and Boateng giving promise under a new generation.
The New Era
China-based Asamoah Gyan was confirmed captain of the Black Stars after Stephen Appiah's retirement with Andre Ayew and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu being named his first and second in-command respectively.
Gyan excelled at the 2014 World though Ghana was blowy with expectations but shouldered Ghana to the final of the 2015 AFCON where the Black Stars painful succumbed to shoot out defeat against Ivory Coast.
In his absence, Andre Ayew has held the forts with great dexterity and he exemplified his readiness last weekend when he led Ghana to qualify for the 2017 AFCON after beating Mauritius at Port Louis. Gyan was absent with injury and the Premier League star demonstrated great leadership as Ghana claimed a 2-0 win.
