Ghana has received a huge boost ahead of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup after adding some newly-minted internationals to its squad.
But this is not the first time players who were born in Europe have switched nationality to play for the Black Stars.
In the past, we’ve had footballers cross carpets to choose Ghana and many of them have gone to represent the country at various tournaments.
Here list of 15 Europe-born players who switched nationality to play for Ghana:
Kevin-Prince Boateng
Kevin-Prince Boateng was born in Germany and represented the European nation at youth level but switched nationality to play for Ghana in 2010.
The playmaker has a Ghanaian father and that made him eligible to represent the West African country. In his time with Ghana, Boateng played at two World Cup tournaments (2010 and 2014), before he was axed from the national team on disciplinary ground.
Quincy Owusu-Abeyie
Quincy Owusu-Abeyie was a toast of Ghanaian football fans when the country hosted the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Despite being born in Amsterdam and playing for the Netherlands’ U21s, Owusu-Abeyie became a Ghana international in 2008.
He played 17 matches and scored two goals, and was also part of the Ghana team that played at the 2010 World Cup.
Anthony Baffoe
These days Anthony Baffoe is involved in catering for the futures of Ghanaian footballers as president of PFAG, but the story has not always been like this.
The former defender was born in Germany and in another world he could have represented the European nation, having been a fan favourite at FC Koln.
Baffoe was one of the foremost recognised black players in the Bundesliga and was capped 25 times by Ghana, while playing in two AFCONs.
Tariq Lamptey
England-born Tariq Lamptey is one of the latest high-profile players to have switched nationality to play for Ghana.
The Brighton and Hove Albion right-back comes with immense quality and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting full-backs in the Premier League.
Lamptey has Ghanaian roots and, even before choosing Ghana, had been visiting the country of his father to do some donations to charity. He is expected to play at the 2022 World Cup.
Inaki Williams
Inaki Williams is another of Ghana’s latest recruits. The Athletic Bilbao star had earlier said that he didn’t feel Ghanaian but made a U-turn in June.
Williams has Ghanaian parents, who emigrated to Spain over two decades ago, and he will be one of Ghana’s players to watch out for at the 2022 World Cup.
Daniel Kofi- Kyereh.
The former saint Pauli midfielder joined the Black Stars under coach CK Akonnor.
Born in Accra on March 8, 199, Daniel Kofi Kyereh was eligible to play for the German national team after leaving Ghana for Germany in his early years.
He made 12 appearance for Ghana
Emmanuel Gyasi
Emmanuel Gyasi was born in Italy and for many years he called the city of Palermo his home. The Spezia forward, however, switched to Ghana in 2021.
Gyasi played in an AFCON qualifier against South Africa in March 2021, although he hasn’t been a regular fixture in the Black Stars since.
Denis Odoi
Denis Odoi was unknown to many before he played in Ghana’s crucial World Cup playoff game against Nigeria.
The Belgium-born defender played once for the Red Devils before switching nationality and even at 34, he looks like a man who has a lot to offer Ghana in the short term.
Alexander Djiku
Alexander Djiku was born in France, in Montpellier to be precise, and even started his professional career with French side Bastia.
The centre-back received his first Ghana call-up in 2020 and has since been a key player for the Black Stars. Djiku is expected to be a starter in Qatar later this year despite the availability of Mohammed Salisu.
Jojo Wollacott
Joseph ‘Jojo’ Wollacott’s rise has been that of the underdog story. Born in England and having played in the lower leagues all his life, the goalkeeper was invited to the Black Stars while playing for League Two side Swindon Town.
However, he proved himself and is currently the first-choice shot-stopper for Ghana.
Albert Adomah
Albert was born in London but spent a short period in Ghana before moving abroad again. The winger who started his professional career with Harrow Borough in 2006 had to wait till 2011 to make his debut appearance for the Black Stars.
Adomah spent his whole life playing in England and was approached by the GFA while at Bristol City to consider playing for Ghana. He made his debut as a substitute against Brazil in a friendly match. The winger was part of Ghana’s squad at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Otto Addo
As a German-born Ghanaian, Otto Addo never played for any of Ghana’s youth teams after turning pro in 1991. Eight years after making a name for himself, the GFA discovered the midfielder and invited Otto Addo and Gerald Asamoah for the game against Eritrea. Otto Addo stuck with Ghana but Gerald Asamoah switched to Germany after he was not allowed game time in the Black Stars. Otto Addo played for Ghana at the 2000 AFCON and the 2006 World Cup in Germany
Hans Adu Sarpei
Despite being born in Tema, Sarpei had the option to play for Ghana or Germany and opted to play for Ghana. Sarpei grew up in Germany where he went through high school before becoming a professional player. His long-awaited call-up to the Ghana national team came in 2000 and played his first match in the Black Stars‘ 4-1 win over Zimbabwe.
He represented Ghana from 2000 to 2012 and played at four tournaments as a key figure in the first team. Sarpei played at the 2006 and 2008 AFCONs as well as the 2006 World Cup in Germany and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Adam Kwarasey
The former Black Stars goalkeeper was born and nurtured in Norway to Ghanaian parents. Kwarasey featured for the Norwegian under-18s in a friendly match in 2008.
Emmanuel Frimpong
For a brief period, Emmanuel Frimpong was a Ghana international. The midfielder, who was born in England and rose through the ranks at Arsenal, made his international debut in 2013.
However, he was blighted by niggling injuries which led to his retirement at the age of 27. Frimpong played just once for Ghana.
Antoine Semenyo
Antoine Semenyo is one of the new guards joining the Black Stars. The Bristol City striker was born in Chelsea, England but switched to Ghana earlier in 2022.
Semenyo debuted for the Black Stars in a 3-0 AFCON qualifier against Madagascar.
Credit: Pulse sports
