It’s that time of the year again when much attention is shifted to dual nationals to beef up squads ahead of major tournaments.
Many African countries has seen host of it talents shinning in major European leagues and the quest to poach them into national teams has begun. Nigeria, Mali and Cameroon has seen few nationality switches in recent times and all attention is now on the Black Stars as talks of nationality switch from dual citizens is in place.
The Black stars in the past World Cups has seen dual nationals switching camps to play for the West African nation with Quincy Owusu Abeyie, Hans Adu Sarpei and Otto Addo playing at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and Kelvin Prince Boateng playing at the 2010 and 2014 World cups in South Africa and Brazil respectively.
Being placed in group H alongside football powerhouse Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea, the Black stars has only one job and that is to assemble the best of talents across the globe if they wish to surpass the quarter finals history made in the 2010 World cup hosted in South Africa.
The four-time African champions have struggled in recent times, with players such as Jeremy Doku, Francis Amuzu, Cody Gakpo and Myron Boadu all rejecting advances from the Ghana Football Association in recent times.
This article focuses on the strength of some dual nationals who are bent on playing for the West African giants. Among these talents are Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson Odoi, Tariq Lamptey and Inaki Williams of Athletic Club Bilbao.
Hudson Odoi (Chelsea)
The Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is reportedly ready to make a switch of his international allegiance from England to Ghana after several talks between his outfit and the Ghana football association.
The youngster who have had three appearances for Gareth Southgate’s England is eligible to play for his father’s home country because he was was under the age of 21 before making such appearances.
The quick-footed winger will be a great addition to the black stars squad that already boast of some talented young pacy wingers.
Inaki Williams (Athletic Club Bilbao)
Inaki Williams has finally agreed to play for the Black stars of Ghana after being convinced by his parents to focus on his parent’s home country because they appear to be out of Spain’s plans.
Inaki who represented Spain some years back is however eligle to play for Ghana because he featured in unofficial matches for the Ra Rojas.
The Athletic Bilbao man who turned down the opportunity to play for the Black Stars years back has now agreed to play and could feature on the biggest platform that every footballer could ever dream of playing at.
The father of the Inaki brother have reportedly held talks with the Ghana football association and the process has begun for his switch.
Inaki Williams was born to Ghanaian parents in Bilbao. He holds dual citizenship and can play for Ghana and Spain.
Mohammed Salisu (Southampton)
The quest to have Mohammed Salisu has intensified as the world cup approaches.
The Southampton defender after turning down the opportunity to play for the country of his birth is now believed to be on his way to the black stars.
Salisu is currently one of the best young players in Europe, having made an impressive start to the season at Southampton.
The former Valladolid man is expected to form a three-man back system alongside Daniel Amartey and Alexander Djiku.
Salisu after turning down an invitation to feature in Ghana’s two-legged Qatar 2022 World Cup playoff against Nigeria is believed to have settled his differences with the Ghana football association and should be available for callup as the preparation for the World’s most prestigious tournament gets closer .
Tariq Lamptey (Brighton and Hove Albion)
The Ghana Football Association is working frantically to get English born Ghanaian defender Tariq Lamptey to declare his International Allegiance to Ghana.
Tariq Lamptey born to Ghanaian parents in England has played for the junior sides of the English national team.
The Brighton right back has reportedly confirmed his readiness to play for the Four times African champions with Manchester United’s Aaron Wan Bissaka, Manchester City’s Kyle Walker, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander Arnold and Chelsea’s Reece James all vying for the right back position for the three lions.
Antoine Semenyo (Bristol City)
The in-form Ghanaian attacker will be a great addition to the attacking threat of the Black Stars of Ghana in Qatar.
Semenyo who missed out on Ghana’s crucial World Cup play-offs clash with fierce rival, Nigeria due to injury is expected to be part of the team to play at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
The 21year old is on a blistering form, bagging 8goals and registering 12assists for Bristol City and is believed to be one of the solution to Ghana’s goalscoring problems.
Semenyo is relatively unknown among Ghanaians. The striker was born in west London to a Ghanaian father.