We are just over two months away from AFCON[1] beginning but there could be a new face lining up for four times winners Ghana.
The Black Stars haven’t won the competition since 1982 and in their quest to do so could be turning to an England[2] international to fire them to glory.
The player in question? Crystal Palace[3] striker Eddie Nketiah, who qualifies through his parents.
The 26-year-old has one cap for England – coming on as a late substitute in a 1-0 friendly win over Australia in October 2023.
And according to African football journalist Saddick Adams he could now swap international allegiances.
Writing on X[4], Adams claims that he has spoken to a member of Nketiah’s family, stating: ‘Spoke to Eddie Nketiah’s family this weekend to get clarity on the stories about his switch.
Ghana (pictured at the 2024 AFCON) could boast an-England international in their ranks soon
Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah (centre) is open to playing for Ghana at this year’s AFCON
He has one cap for England – which came in a 1-0 friendly win over Australia in October 2023
‘The source admitted that Eddie Nketiah had previously spoken to the Ghana coach and some GFA top officials but he had not settled at his club yet so couldn’t make a decision.
‘However, Nketiah is now settled and at 26, matured enough and ready to “give his very best” if Ghana calls now.
‘Says he has Ghana blood running through him so his “identity is unquestionable”.
‘Basically, he’s open to playing for Ghana now.’
Despite having played for England, Nketiah is eligible for Ghana due to FIFA rulings as he not played a competitive match for the Three Lions or won more than three caps for them.
It’s not just Nketiah though who could be representing Ghana in the near future though, with Callum Hudson-Odoi on their radar too.
Like Nketiah, the Nottingham Forest winger has played for England – winning three caps in 2019 at the ages of 18 and 19.
Hudson-Odoi is eligible for Ghana, through his parents, still as he has played only three times for England and all before the age of 21.
Ghana’s Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has expressed a desire to get both involved with the national team – talking about the World Cup next summer too.
Callum Hudson-Odoi has won three caps for England but could also be a future Ghana player
‘Every Ghanaian who knows how to play has the opportunity to go to the World Cup if the coach decides that he wants,’ he told Ghanaian radio station Asempa FM.
‘It doesn’t matter if the player was part of the team during the qualifiers or not. It doesn’t matter if the player has played before or not.
‘Maybe they were looking elsewhere, but we will not discriminate on the day the player played during the qualifiers or not.
‘I have watched some players, and I believe that they are good enough. Despite their talent, the final selection of players like Eddie Nketiah and Hudson-Odoi remains with the technical team and the coach.’
References
- ^ AFCON (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ England (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Crystal Palace (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Writing on X (x.com)