Mohammed Salisu Abdul Karim, who started his local youth club football in Kumasi for Barcelona Babies and accepted to join Ghana Black Stars in June 2022, was in action against Manchester United at St. Mary’s Stadium.
The outstanding central defender for The Saints was in the media for bad reasons when he scored an own goal against Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the first week of the English Premier League.
The head coach of Southampton, Ralph Hasenhuttl, kept faith in him and has maintained him in the central defence of his team, Mohammed Salisu returned to form with a strong performance for Southampton against Leeds United, making eight recoveries and winning 100 percent of aerial duels.
Although Salisu and Bella-Kotchap at the heart of The Saints’ defence were unable to stop Manchester United’s unbeaten streak against Southampton at St. Mary’s, which had lasted 15 games overall, the Ghanaian defender showed his tenacity in the position.
A second-half goal by the captain of Manchester United gave Erik ten Hags’ side their first away defeat of the season, after winning against Liverpool at Old Trafford last Monday night.
At the time Andy Madley blew the final whistle, the home team had outstanding defensive statistics at their feet, they had a 51.9% duels success rate, 14 interceptions, and 17 tackles in the Premier League game they played against United at launch time.
The Ghanaian centre defender showed exceptional defensive effort, thus it will be advantageous for him to quickly be called up to Otto Addo’s squad in September as they prepare for the scheduled friendlies.
The statistics revealed by the Premier League administrators indicate that Salisu was at his best moments in the game and was part of the first three players to perform any of his core duties as a defender in the game.
Salisu had 66 touches, making him the second player in the game. Being a ball-playing centre-back, he engaged in 46 successful passes, making him the second player. He was the third player to win 6 duels at St. Mary’s Stadium. He was the best in terms of clearance when he made five clearances in the box and one of the best on the field in terms of successive dribbles.
After their defeat to Manchester United, the ingenious editors of www.atspo.com tallied the statistics of the Ghanaian defender: 66 touches (2nd), 46 passes (2nd), 6 duels won (3rd), 5 clearances (1st), and 1/1 successful dribbles (joint 1st).
