Ghana Black Stars defender Mohammed Salisu endured a night of mixed fortunes in AS Monaco’s UEFA Champions League encounter with Cypriot side Pafos, where he was named Man of the Match despite scoring a late own goal.
The French club was held to a 2-2 draw after Salisu inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 88th minute. A header from Pafos substitute Mons Bassouamina struck the post and deflected off the Ghanaian international before crossing the line.
While the incident denied Monaco a win, Salisu’s overall performance drew widespread praise. He dominated defensively, winning nine of 10 aerial duels, blocking two shots, and being beaten only once in one-on-one situations. He also completed 54 of 59 passes and registered 76 touches, underscoring his influence on the game.
The former Southampton centre-back’s commanding display has eased lingering concerns about his fitness, following his absence from Ghana’s recent friendlies against Japan and South Korea due to injury.
Salisu, who featured for the Black Stars at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, remains firmly in contention to represent Ghana at the 2026 tournament, with his latest performance reinforcing his importance to both club and country.
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