Besiktas Midfielder Bernard Mensah Takes Break From Ghana Duty

The 26-year-old has decided to put his international career on hold to focus on his club career.
 
Turkey-based Ghana midfielder Bernard Mensah has announced a temporary retirement from international duty.

The Besiktas ace made the announcement on social media on Sunday, two weeks after being left out of the Black Stars’ squad for the upcoming 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Sudan later this month.

He made the team for Ghana's last set of international assignments - back-to-back friendly games against Mali and Qatar.

"I have decided to take a break from the national team until further notice. I want to concentrate on my career for now. Thanks to all Ghanaians for their support," Mensah posted on Twitter on Sunday.

After a long absence from their Black Stars since 2015, the midfielder made a comeback for last month's friendlies.

He saw 45 minutes of action as Ghana succumbed to a disappointing 3-0 loss to continental rivals Mali in the Turkish city of Antalya.

Three days later, he watched on from the bench as CK Akonnor's outfit bounced back with a big 5-1 thrashing of Asian champions and 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar.

His bit-part role was not his only worry from his first national team appearance in five years as he tested positive for the coronavirus upon his return to Besiktas, forcing him out of club action for a short period.

The Accra-born was one of about seven Ghana players to contract the disease from their time is the national camp, alongside Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew, Celta Vigo defender Joseph Aidoo, Hoffenheim centre-back Kasim Adams Nuhu and Vitoria Guimaraes left-back Gideon Mensah.

Mensah made his international debut for Ghana in a friendly tie against Togo in 2015, scoring in the game.

The big moment came a month before he secured a move to Spanish side Atletico Madrid from Guimaraes in Portugal.

He has gone on to play for Getafe, Kasimpasa and Kayserispor, from where he joined Besiktas during the recent summer transfer window.

Ghana will host Sudan in Cape Coast on November 12 and travel for the reverse fixture on November 17. It remains to be seen if Mensah will rescind his decision should Ghana ultimately qualify for the final tournament in Cameroon.