Hope Of Eddie Nketiah Playing For Ghana Hits Rocks

Hopes that England-born Ghanaian player Eddie Nketiah will play for Ghana do not appear to be feasible any time soon following England’s call-up.

The Arsenal player had been approached by Black Stars Coach Chris Hughton and former head Coach Otto Addo for a nationality switch which could not push through.

In August while speaking on efforts to draw Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi into Ghana’s senior team, Hughton said contacts had been made with them.

“Not just in my time, I think from before as well. It is a process. But ultimately it will be about both of them making that decision that they want to play but we have had good dialogue with them,” he told talkSport in August.

Nketia who had featured in England’s U21 team until today had not featured in the Senior national team. This bred some hope that the player may consider Ghana’s offer.

But while naming his squad against Ukraine for the UEFA European Qualifier, Coach Gareth Southgate handed Nketia his first call-up.

The three Lions said he earned the call due to his incredible performance at the junior level.

“And there’s a first senior call-up for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah, who joins the group having been a regular for England’s development teams over the years when he also became the men’s under-21s’ record goalscorer in 2020.”

In his 17 appearances for England’s U-21, Nketia scored 16 goals.

Southgate’s squad will take on Ukraine in Wroclaw, Poland on Saturday, September 9.