Angry Muntari Says Goodbye

The expulsion of former national star, Sulley Muntari, from the camp of the Black Meteors appeared innocuous, but the event may be the player's final farewell to the national teams.

Days after national team coach, Mariano Barreto, dropped the axe on the Italy-based Muntari, the player has followed up his verbal threats with a strongly-worded letter stating in firm language that his days with Ghana football as a national player are effectively over.

And although a key figure in Ghana's first three games in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, Muntari may not return to the team again following the anger his letter has spewed into the veins of Ghana's football gurus.GFA Chairman, Dr N. Nyaho-Tamakloe, told the Graphic Sports last Wednesday that any effort at reconsidering the issue of Muntari could only be prompted by an unqualified apology by the player and a withdrawal of his letter.

“Anything short of these, we bid him farewell,” Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe said. Speaking publicly on the matter for the first time since the return of the Meteors from the Olympics where they failed to reach the quarter finals, the GFA chhairman said Muntari was given enough chance to turn from his ways which the coach considered counter to his programme, but he abused each opportunity.

He was finally expelled from camp before the start of the competition but expressed his displeasure by issuing a threat not to feature for Ghana again. “I fully supported the coach in his determination to instil discipline in camp and I am happy it will serve as an example to others who may be tempted to flout laid down rules,” the GFA chairman said.

Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe, before his assumption of office as head of Ghana Football, was best remembered for his no-nonsense administrative style that wiped 23 established stars from Hearts of Oak when he was appointed chairman of the club.