Sunderland Snubbed John Mensah, Sulley Muntari Over Africa Cup of Nations

Sunderland have hinted that he opted not give permanent deals to Ghana players John Mensah and Sulley Muntari because they will play at the Africa Cup of Nations next year.

Coach Steve Bruce says he wants to avoid signing African players this summer because of the forthcoming tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Striker Asamoah Gyan, Benin’s Stephane Sessegnon, Ahmed Elmohamady of Egypt and Nigeria-born Nedum Onuaha could all play for the tournament, which runs from 21st January until 12th February.

Mensah and Muntari were at the Black Cats on loan last season from Lyon and Inter Milan respectively and were keen on permanent deals this summer.

But the Black Cats boss feels he cannot afford to have significant numbers of his squad unavailable at a key stage in the season.

“When you are choosing players, you never consider their nationality, only the question of whether they’re good enough and that’s still the case with us,” Bruce said.

“But certainly, as things stand, we would be reluctant to sign players from African nations because, looking ahead to next season, it would be a real worry.

“The competition also comes at a time – end of January, beginning of February – where it’s a really testing time for your squad anyway.

“If we had the same injury crisis next year as this year and then lost half-a-dozen players to Africa for three weeks, we really would be goosed!

“I’m aware of the situation and it’s something we’ve addressed – you don’t want to lose a load of players at one fell swoop.”

It was thought there was an agreement in place for a permanent deal for Mensah and Muntari at the end of the season but Sunderland opted to release them.

Bruce could then not explain publicly why he opted not to hand the duo permanent deals at Sunderland – a club both players adore.

But his anxiety over the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations has influenced his decision on African players this summer.

The tournament falls in the middle of the European football calendar.