Ghanaian star Muntari hopeful about next clash

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Pretoria-Ghanaian star midfielder, Sulley Muntari says he is not worried about being confined to the substitute bench when the Black Stars beat Serbia 1-nil on Sunday at Loftus Versfeld.

According to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Muntari has always puts the national team ahead of any personal satisfaction.

Muntari who warmed the bench for the entire 90 minutes has just recovered from a thigh injury he picked up during the team's training camp in Paris, France.

While it is still unclear if the midfielder will be in the starting line-up when Ghana takes on Australia on Saturday at Royal Bafokeng stadium, Muntari said he just wants to help the team get good results.

"It was good to see the guys playing so well. To me, it did not matter that I did not play in our opening match, what it is important is that we've won the match.

"I am looking forward to helping the team wins the next match against Australia, I am really looking forward to this one," he said.

Another player who was on the bench on Sunday is Appiah and the team's coach Milovan Rajevac said there was no need to rush the influential Muntari into the first game.

"Muntari was not used because he just coming back from an injury, he has recovered very well, but we didn't want to risk him too much. He is a quality player and would do a job for the team when the time comes," he said.

With regard to Appiah, Rajevac said: "He is an important player and would do a great job for the team. Although he did not play more games last year, he remains key to us."