Muntari's mum in bizzare claim

Hajia Kande Muntari, mother of Ghana international Sulley Muntari, has boastfully claimed that the Black Stars will not flourish without her son.

In a bizarre rant on a local radio station she launched a blistering attack on the media and a section of the public for the recent criticism aimed at the Italy-based star.

The Inter Milan ace recently challenged sports minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak over winning bonuses before his girlfriend's clash with the police in Kumasi generated a media frenzy.

The midfielder, who is a key player for Ghana, has since been at the wrong end of a media, prompting his mother to warn that the national team will not thrive without the enforcer.

"No Sulley, no Black Stars; that is the plain truth, so those peddling those lies should stop," Hajia Kande told Fox FM in Kumasi.

"Sulley has not done any wrong to warrant the rampant bashing being meted out to him by soccer fans in the country.

"So is this how Ghanaians are treating Sulley after his selfless services to the Black Stars over the years?," she quizzed.

Muntari was a key player for the Black Stars in their 2006 World Cup campaign in Germany.

Hajia Kande said her son is an obedient child who was properly brought up, insisting that Sulley is very respectful and well-mannered, wondering why Ghanaians were treating him this way.

She added that the criticism is being propagated by detractors who are keen on tarnishing the hard-won reputation of Sulley, urging the public not to believe the gossip.