European players who switched their nationality to play for Ghana – 2022 World Cup

Early this year in March, the Black Stars survived the might of the Super Eagles of Nigeria to book a place at the Mundial scheduled to be staged in Qatar.

Since booking the important ticket, the national team of the West African country has been putting things in place to guarantee that the team will boast of a formidable squad before making the trip to the Middle East.

As a result, the Ghana Football Association (GFA), working with the technical team of the Black Stars, has managed to convince several players born in Europe to make the switch to represent Ghana.

“Tariq Lamptey, Inaki Williams, Mohammed Salisu, Stephan Ambrosius, Patrick Pfeffer, and Ransford Yeboah are available for national selection,” President of the Ghana FA, Kurt Okraku, announced in a post on his Facebook on July 5.

Months before the final Ghana squad for the 2022 AFCON is assembled, we look at the possible players that look set to earn a place in the team.

Inaki Williams

The Athletic Bilbao forward, born in Spain to Ghanaian parents, grew up to believe he is more Spanish than Ghanaian, even as of last year.

In March 2015, Inaki Williams received his first international call-up to play for the Spain under-21 team in a friendly match against Norway and Belarus. The talented forward debuted in the game against Norway as Spain cruised to victory.

Prior to the 2016 Euros, the attacker was one of 11 stand-by players for Vicente del Bosque’s Spain squad. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t make the squad. Despite going on to have the chance to play for the Spain national team in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina, he never quite got the opportunity to feature in a competitive match.

Tired of waiting for his time in the Spain national team, Inaki Williams has this month confirmed his switch to represent Ghana, the country of his parents.

Now waiting for his maiden Ghana call-up, Inaki Williams has given Ghanaians much hope ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

There is that belief that he will give the Black Stars strength in attack at the Mundial to have any chance of going past the group stage.

Having already played eight seasons in the Spanish La Liga with Athletic Bilbao, the highly-rated forward comes with a lot of experience. If he stays fit, he will be in the Ghana squad for the world cup.

Tariq Lamptey

The versatile defender is a typical Ghanaian player born in Europe. Having been born in England to Ghanaian parents, Tariq Lamptey grew up in the Chelsea academy and had the chance to represent the youth national teams of the English.

After a long time on the sidelines due to an injury, the 21-year-old Brighton & Hove Albion star was invited to the England U21 team but turned it down to consider his options.

Following various engagements with his family and officials of the Ghana FA, he became one of the Europe-born Ghanaian players to decide to switch allegiance to play for the Black Stars.

Currently one of the best right-wing-backs in the world, Tariq Lamptey provides a major squad boost for Ghana.

He has the backing to walking into the Ghana team to be a starter due to his versatility. The former Chelsea player only needs to stay fit and start well in the 2022/23 football season to merit a place in the squad assembled by head coach Otto Addo for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Stephan Ambrosius

Born Stephan Kofi Ambrosius in Germany, all indications from a young age pointed to the direction that he would become a top defender.

With no surprise, the Hamburg SV towering center-back was drafted into the youth national team of Germany, where he made several appearances.

Taking advantage of his Ghanaian descent, the 23-year-old has opted to play for the Black Stars at the senior international level this month as he returns the favor to turn his back to the German senior national team.

Just like Tariq Lamptey, Stephan Ambrosius provides a boost for the defense of Ghana. With that department already full of good options for the technical team, the center-back must maintain top form in the months leading to November to earn a place in the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

With 26 appearances for Hamburg SV last season, he is expected to be a key player for the team in the 2022/23 campaign when the side push to secure promotion to the German Bundesliga.

Elisha Owusu

Born in France but never given the chance to feature for any youth national teams, it was only a matter of time before Elisha Owusu had his chance with the Ghana national team.

Surprisingly, he had to wait to turn 24 before an invitation would be sent his way.

Early this year, when Ghana needed fighters for the playoff of the qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he had his chance to help the team and played his role to ensure the Black Stars sealed the qualification.

Having impressed a lot of Ghanaians, many have said he merits a place in the midfield of the Black Stars.

If fit before the world cup, the KAA Gent midfield maestro will be in the books of head coach Otto Addo for a place in his squad for the tournament in Qatar.

Formerly a player of Sochaux, Elisha Owusu made 23 league appearances for KAA Gent in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League last season. He is one to watch out for in the upcoming season.

Patric Pfeiffer

Patric Pfeiffer, 22, was born in Germany with Ghanaian origins. Despite holding a German passport and being eligible to play for the European country, he has decided to play for the Black Stars this month.

As a result, he is eligible to be invited into the next squad of the Black Stars that will be assembled for upcoming assignments.

The SV Darmstadt midfielder is following in the footsteps of former Ghana attackers Quincy Owusu-Abeyie and Kevin-Prince Boateng.

The two talented forwards were born in Germany but decided to play for Ghana despite interest from the German national team.

Quincy Owusu-Abeyie paid his dues for Ghana with his skillful displays at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, while KP Boateng made a name for himself at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.

The duo’s successes could inspire other European-born players who have decided to represent Ghana at the senior national team level.