Ghanaian striker Yahaya Mohammed has revealed why he and his compatriot Nuru Sulley cancelled their contracts with Libyan side Al Ittihad after GHANAsoccernet.com exclusively revealed their decision to leave the Tripoli-based club.
The two talented players who joined the Tripoli-based club last year have returned home following their decision to end their relationship with the club.
The duo claim they have not been paid their salaries for the past five months which resulted in their decision to terminate their agreement with Al Ittihad.
The lack of competition in the war-torn North African country looks to have forced their hand in reaching a decision with the club to cancel the deal.
“Everything was fine at the beginning but due to the political unrest in Libya, the club moved camp to Tunisia. That is where we have been and playing friendlies all this while," Mohammed told Happy FM in Accra.
“It got to a point where we had to start complaining about salary delays. They paid us then went dead again for about four months.
“It got to the fifth month when we were to host ASEC in Tunisia so we [Yahaya and Nuru] and one Nigerian player [Tony Okpotu] told them we were boycotting the game because five months is too much. We have families and other responsibilities to cater for.
“They begged us but we refused and the club went on to lose and got eliminated from the Confederation Cup.
“At this time, there is nothing to stay and play for. Nuru and I then resolved to stay back and ensure terminating our contracts because there is no league.
“We decided not to drag the club to Fifa over our unpaid salaries and outstanding enticements because it will take time.
"The Nigerian player once took them to Fifa, the process took too much time and he had no choice than to return to play for them.
“We needed to take the risk of terminating the contracts and move on quickly with our careers than chase the money since we believe in our abilities. It was the better option for us,†he ended.
Mohammed joined the club from Asante Kotoko while Sulley signed for Al Ittihad from Accra giants Heart of Oak.
Yahaya and Nuru were integral members of the Ghana side that were losing finalists at the 2014 Chan hosted by South Africa.