Black Stars Management Committee Chairman, Mark Addo has disclosed effort to get Southampton defender, Mohammed Salisu for the Nigeria clash proved futile.
The Black Stars will play the Super Eagles in a two-legged encounter on Friday with the winner securing one of the five slots on the African continent.
The first leg of the titanic qualifying tie will be played on March 25 at the Baba Yara Stadium. Four days later, the two giants will meet again in Abuja with the aggregate winner qualifying for the tournament later this year.
Speaking to Kumasi-based Kessben FM monitored by Footballghana.com, Mark Addo, who double as Vice President of the Ghana Football Association revealed engagement with the Southampton star in the bid to secure his services for the crucial game against Nigeria but said efforts proved futile.
“We engaged Mohammed Salisu on several occasions but he is not ready to play for Ghana” he said.
Having missed out in the last edition of the Mundial, the Black Stars are seeking to play in the World Cup for the fourth time having played in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 in Germany, South Africa and Brazil respectively.
The Black Stars team has arrived in Kumasi and will continue their preparations for the much-anticipated tie-on Friday.
In head-to-head meetings between the two West African rivals, Ghana enjoys the superiority having won 25, drew 19 and lost 12 in 56 clashes.