The Black Stars want to strengthen for the World Cup. They are doing their shopping in Spain and England.
Having narrowly qualified for the 2022 World Cup at the expense of Nigeria, Ghana is housed in Group H. The Black Stars will face in the first round Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea. The fate could have been more severe, but the Black Stars intend to strengthen for the Qatari appointment. They are counting on players who have already played for the Spanish and English youth teams.
Ghana has a good selection of talented and experienced players. Coach Otto Addo has Thomas Partey, Kamaldeen Sulemena, Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Kudus and the Ayew brothers (Andre and Jordan) in his squad, just to name a few. But the Ghanaian soccer officials want to put all the assets on their side to perform well at the World Cup and forget their disastrous AFCON 2021 (elimination in the first round).
Among the potential future Black Stars, Footmercato has presented five.
1. Inaki Williams
The Bilbao striker has one selection with Spain. It was in 2016. Since then, he has received a few invitations, without playing again with La Roja. At 28 years old, he decided to wear the jersey of his native country. "The time has come for me to reconnect with my roots, with Africa, with Ghana, which mean so much to me and my family," he said in a video. A 180° turn for Inaki Williams who, four years ago, did not see himself as a Black Star. My parents come from Ghana," he recalled in the Guardian. But my culture, my education and my way of life are attached to Spain. So I don't see myself playing for Ghana."
🇬🇭🖤 @ghanafaofficial pic.twitter.com/t5cSzOcIfB
— IÑAKI WILLIAMS (@Williaaams45) July 5, 2022
2. Nico Williams
He is the brother of Inaki. He is 19 years old. He has 39 matches with Bilbao, but zero with Roja A. Nico Williams could follow in the footsteps of his brother and choose the jersey of Ghana. This young striker has already played for the Spanish U21 (5 caps).
3. Tariq Lamptey
It is a done deal. The Ghanaian Federation has made official the decision of the right-back of Brighton to play for the Black Stars. Tariq Lamptey played in the youth teams of England. For the Three Lions A, the future seems blocked for the fullback with 32 games last season. The Seagull is blocked by the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker, Reece James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and others.
4. Eddie Nketiah
For the Arsenal striker, it is his Ghanaian teammate, Thomas Partey, who plays the recruiting sergeant. According to Footmercato, the Gunners midfielder is lobbying hard to convince the 23-year-old to join the Black Stars. The England U21 international has not yet made his decision.
5. Callum Hudson-Odoi
The Chelsea striker is blocked to three selections with England. At 21 years old, thanks to the FIFA rules that allow players of that age and with a maximum of three caps, to change their nationality, he can play for Ghana. Like Eddie Nketiah, Callum Hudson-Odoi is still hesitant to take the plunge. The prospect of playing in the World Cup could convince him. Especially since his frequent injuries and the strong competition in his position, he has little chance of returning to the Three Lions.
