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Athletic Bilbao Striker Inaki Williams has finally agreed to represent the Ghana Black Stars ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year.
Williams has been a long-term target for the Ghana Football Association (GFA) with several meetings held between the GFA President Kurt Okraku and the family of Inaki following the country's qualification to World Cup.
Inaki and his younger brother, Nico Williams arrived in Ghana for a short vacation.
Nico is yet to decide on his international future, but GFA officials are optimistic he would also play for Ghana.
Inaki Williams initially committed to Spain and appeared in one friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2016 but has agreed to a nationality switch.
Speaking about the switch with 3sports, Inaki William stated that he wants to give what he can to prove what Ghana and Africa mean to him.
“Yes, I was confused before but since I came to Ghana and saw all the people and all the things that I don’t see in Spain,”
“That’s why I feel the moment has come for me to find my origins within myself and with Africa and Ghana which means so much to me and my family. I want to return a small part of everything it has given to us because Ghana has played a significant part of becoming who I am as a person, as a son, and as a brother”.
“Today a new challenge begins. From now on, I will defend Ghana’s T-shirt with all my will whilst I give my best. I’m one of the Black Stars.”
Inaki has remarkably gone six years without missing a La Liga match which is a new record in Spain.
He had eight goals and provided five assists in the 2021-22 season for the Red and Blacks outfit.
Meanwhile, Tariq Lamptey, Mohammed Salisu, Stephen Ambrosius, Patrick Pfeffer and Ransford Yeboah have all completed their nationality switch to Ghana and are xpected to feature against Angola in a doubleheader of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September.
Zakaria Ali Ayishatu
