John Mensah targets place in Ghana's World Cup squad

Published on: 13 December 2013
John Mensah targets place in Ghana's World Cup squad
John Mensah says he is fit and ready to return to Black Stars

By Patrick Akoto

Experienced Ghana defender John Mensah is hoping to be selected for next year’s World Cup in Brazil, claiming he has fully recovered from his chronic injury while insisting he’s not finished yet as there is plenty of fire in his belly to stage a comeback.

Mensah, 31, has not played for the Black Stars for more than a year due to a problematic back injury that has shattered a rather fine career.

Without the former Stade Rennes strong centre-back, Ghana have secured a place at next year’s World Cup finals, having beaten Egypt 7-3 on aggregate in a two-legged playoff last month.

The ex-Sunderland man claims he has fully recovered from the set-back and targeting a place in Kwesi Appiah’s final squad for Brazil.

“I have been on treatment and I have been doing some personal training too,” Mensah is quoted by AllSports

“I have always served Ghana and I still hold that dream in my heart.

"I have gone through a fair share of injuries in my career but it’s always been part of the game and as a footballer these are some of the challenges.

“I Cialis 10mg am targeting a place in Ghana’s World Cup team God willing and I am positive I have made a full recovery.

“I am not finished yet as many people have said and written about me.”

Despite the country’s qualification to the World Cup, the defensive frailties continue to dominate the major talking point in the African country with Ghana President John Mahama lamenting about the weakness in the centre-back ahead of the tournament.

With Brazil firmly in sight the debate about the potential recall of Mensah has resurrected with calls for his immediate return to the team to partner either John Boye or Isaac Vorsah.

Mensah’s quality has never been in doubt and was once branded as an ‘animal’ by former Sunderland team-mate Danny Welbeck.

There are those who believe the uncompromising centre-half must be handled with care as niggling knocks have taken their toll down the years.

Despite being unattached, he is a defensive colossus and a class act whose no-nonsense approach could prove crucial for the team in the difficult group G ties against USA, Germany and Portugal.

With John Mensah claiming he is fit, do you think Kwesi Appiah should consider re-calling him into the team?

Please make your views known in the box below.

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