Ghana’s pursuit of Eddie Nketiah in danger as Arsenal star receives first England call-up
By Daniel ODURO, Accra
Ghana’s pursuit to convince striker, Eddie Nketiah to switch nationality and play for the Black Stars has suffered a massive set back after the 23-year-old was named in England’s squad for their upcoming 2024 Euro qualifiers.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) tried without success during the last World Cup to convince the player to join the team to Qatar but the player and his representatives asked for more time to make a decision.
Nketiah is one of four Arsenal players who were called up by Gareth Southgate for the first international break of the 2023/2024 season.
Aaron Ramsdale, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka are the other three players who were invited for England’s games against Ukraine in the Euro qualifiers and a friendly against Scotland.
Nketiah has been on Ghana’s radar for a long while and is believed to have had talks with the Ghana Football Association over a nationality switch.
The English-born Ghanaian was said to be open to a switch to Ghana. He secured his Ghanaian passport in the process but it turns out the talks proved futile following his call-up to the Three Lions.
The former England U-21 would still be able to switch nationality for Ghana unless he makes three appearances for England.
He is now set for his senior debut when England face Ukraine in their first game of the break on 9 September 2023.
