Former Black Stars defender Shilla Illiasu has reiterated his desire to return to the senior national team after almost six years of hibernation.

“It has been a difficult three years for me but thankfully I am back to my best. Playing 90 minutes of football every week is just fantastic. Now I am aiming at a return to the Black Stars and I think by the grace of God and hard work I will play for the national team again,” Illiasu told Finder Sports.

The former RTU player has returned to his old blistering form that saw him become an integral part of Ghana’s 2006 FIFA World Cup squad in Germany. His performances at the time ensured that former Bayern Munich star Samuel Osei Kuffour was consigned to the bench.

Illiasu’s exploits after the 2006 FIFA World Cup earned him trials at Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers but eventually signed for Saturn in Russia. His stay at Saturn FC did not last long as his contract was cancelled under mysterious circumstances before a knee injury forced him to return back home for treatment.

Illiasu joined RTU when he returned to Ghana two years ago but left after the 2009/10 to Armenia where he has recaptured his old fine form. Shilla Illiasu has played in all the 15 league games for Impulse FC and remains confident that Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah and the GFA would give him a chance as the national team engages in qualifiers for the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.