Former Black Stars midfielder, Rabiu Mohammed has called for calm ahead of the final 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The four time African champions will lock horns with bitter West African rivals, Nigeria in March for a place in this year’s World Cup slot in Qatar.
Ghana gave a poor account of themselves at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon where they exited the group stage with just one point in three Group C matches.
The abysmal feat was the first since 2006 when they were kicked out of the group stage in Egypt. Ghana has an eye in Qatar but must first clear the Super Eagles hurdle over two legs to ensure a fourth qualification after a debut appearance in Germany 2006 and two subsequent ones in South Africa 2010 and 2014 in Brazil.
Rabiu Mohammed won the FIFA U-20 World Cup with the Black Satellites in Egypt 2009 and went on to star for several clubs across, Spain, Italy, Russia and France.
Rabiu Mohammed said: “Ghanaians should have patience for the players. “What has happened has already happened and we have a lot of games to play this year.
“We have to go to the World Cup and next year we have to qualify for the 2023 AFCON [in Ivory Coast]. “Most of the players who played the 2021 AFCON are likely to be invited for the next AFCON.
“So if we dampen their spirit it cannot solve the problem. “We still don’t understand the fact that our learning has gone down.
“We must understand that our learning has gone down and we must relearn and start somewhere with the [national] team.”Rabiu Mohammed told Kessben fm.
The Black Stars last came close to the AFCON title twice – a 1-0 loss to Egypt in Angola 2010 and a 8-7 penalty shootouts defeat to West African neighbors, Ivory Coast in Equatorial Guinea 2015.
The team is however without a coach at the moment as Serbian trainer, Milovan Rajevac has been relieved off his post after the 2021 AFCON debacle.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
