Ghana have called Tariq Lamptey up for the first time, so what other players can represent the Black Stars come the 2022 Qatar World Cup – including Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah?
Lamptey had previously represented England at youth level, but he switched allegiances to the Black Stars this July. The 21-year-old enjoyed a consistent rise through the Young Lions ranks, yet faced competition at senior level from Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
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As the right-back also qualifies for Ghana through his parents, Lamptey made the decision to follow his family’s heritage. It comes as part of a wider effort by the Black Stars to bring in foreign-born talents under former Brighton boss Chris Hughton, now a technical advisor.
Hughton told BBC Sport Africa in May: “There are players that are playing outside of Ghana in European countries, predominantly, that do qualify. The world is changing, and there is far more travel between various countries.
“Far more individuals being brought up in a different country to what they were born in, or their parents were born… We have to have the best team possible going forward. And if that means opening out the network, then it is our responsibility to do that.”
Lamptey is now the latest player to switch allegiances to Ghana ahead of the Qatar World Cup, and he may debut for the Black Stars in friendlies with Brazil and Nicaragua later this month. Otto Addo’s squad will face Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea through Group H.
Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams also switched his allegiances to represent Ghana this July with Stephen Ambrosius, Ransford-Yeboah Konigsdorffer and Patric Pfeiffer. The Black Stars have also included Mohamed Salisu of Southampton in their squad for the first time.
Williams, Salisu and Lamptey are headline additions to the Ghana fold ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. But several other players can also elect to represent the Black Stars ahead of the first Fifa tournament that will be held in the Middle East in November and December…
Eddie Nketiah can follow Tariq Lamptey in representing Ghana ahead of World Cup
Arsenal star Nketiah can follow Lamptey in representing Ghana ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, likewise through his parents. Hughton convincing the forward to switch allegiances would be quite a coup for the Black Stars, with the Hale Ender a record-setter at U21 level.
The 23-year-old became England’s all-time U21 top-scorer in October 2020 after his 14th goal in just 12 games. He also captained the Young Lions during his total 17 appearances, which returned 16 goals. Yet the London native has never had a look in at the senior level.
Nketiah’s last Young Lions outing came in March 2021, so he may see Ghana as his path to a senior international career. However, Ghana Soccernet reported this August that the 5 ft 8 dynamo is still reluctant to commit his allegiance amid talks with England over his future.
Callum Hudson-Odoi among Ghana’s top targets to represent nation
Callum Hudson-Odoi is among Ghana’s top targets to represent the West African nation at the Qatar World Cup, according to BBC News. Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo has even made personal calls to the Chelsea-owned winger over switching allegiances from England.
The 21-year-old has already earned three-caps at senior level with the Three Lions. But as Hudson-Odoi featured under Gareth Southgate before his 21st birthday, he is not obliged to represent England under Fifa’s eligibility rules, and can still switch allegiances to Ghana.
Southgate debuted the London-born dynamo – now on loan with Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen – back in March 2019. Hudson-Odoi also laid on an assist in his first start away in Montenegro, yet has not featured since November 2019 and returned to the U21 team.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi could earn Ghana call-up with form on loan to Charlton
Ghana can look to poach one of England’s promising talents for their Qatar World Cup side in Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. The 19-year-old winger has represented the Young Lions at U20 level on five occasions so far, and also scored on his debut in September 2021 to beat Romania.
Rak-Sakyi is now honing his trade with a productive start to life on loan in League One with Charlton Athletic. The London native has recorded two goals and an assist through his first four appearances in the third-tier, following making his Premier League debut last season.
Patrick Vieira fielded the former Chelsea prospect twice after taking over the Selhurst Park helm in 2021. He first unleashed Rak-Sakyi off the bench away at Stamford Bridge whilst 3-0 behind last August, before starting the teenager at home to Manchester United in May.
Jeremie Frimpong can represent Ghana after Netherlands youth upbringing
Jeremie Frimpong can opt to represent Ghana at senior level after enjoying an upbringing in the Netherlands’ youth grades. The right-back has featured for Holland at U19, U20 and U21 levels, but only broke into the U21s in September and is yet to enter their senior fold.
A product of Manchester City’s academy before an 18-month spell with Celtic, Frimpong is showing he has an international ability with Bayer Leverkusen. The Bundesliga side paid an initial £11.5m in January 2021 for the Amsterdam native, who only cost the Hoops £350k.
Celtic turned a sizable and quick profit on Frimpong after eight assists and three goals in 51 games for the Premiership giants. The 21-year-old has since laid on nine assists and hit the net four times over 54 games for Die Werkself, whilst often taking up right-wing positions.
Brian Brobbey eligible to represent Ghana or stick with Netherlands
Brian Brobbey is eligible to represent Ghana, or can continue playing with the Netherlands. The 20-year-old has featured for Holland at U15, U16, U17, U19 and now at U21 level, and boasts a prolific record in the youth grades with a combined 32 goals over 49 appearances.
He struck the net 16 times over 24 games at U17 level, before rising up to hit six in 12 U21 outings so far since March 2021. Brobbey’s efforts in Ajax’s academy also led to a transfer to RB Leipzig, but he has returned to Amsterdam for €16.5m (£14.5m), rising €3m (£2.5m).
Brobbey struggled after his arrival in Germany in 2021, and only offered three assists over 14 appearances. Ajax would hire the centre-forward on loan in January, before securing a permanent move after ending 2021/22 with seven goals over 13 with his hometown team.
Ansgar Knauff can follow string of German-born players representing Ghana
Ansgar Knauff can follow Ambrosius, Konigsdorffer and Pfeiffer in being the latest German-born player to opt to represent Ghana before the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The 20-year-old has dual-citizenship, but has so far only played internationally for Germany at youth level.
He boasts caps in Die Mannschaft’s U19, U20 and U21 folds, with his U21 breakthrough in October 2021. Knauff earned his place, before switching Borussia Dortmund for Eintracht Frankfurt on loan in January 2022 to June 2023 to test himself outside his academy team.
The right-winger had made 16 first-team appearances with BVB for one goal and an assist. Now, Knauff is honing his attacking threat at Deutsche Bank Park and shone in the 2021/22 Europa League – on route to winning the tournament as the Young Player of the Season.
Jordi Osei-Tutu can show England why international snub was wrong
Jordi Osei-Tutu can show England why the Young Lions were wrong to overlook his talents by switching allegiances to represent Ghana. The 23-year-old has not played international football at any level so far in his career, despite being eligible for both England and Ghana.
His potential has led to a regular role with Bochum in the Bundesliga this season after the right-back left Arsenal in June. The Gunners signed Osei-Tutu off Reading back in 2015 for their academy, yet he never broke through for a senior appearance between loan moves.
Arsenal listed Osei-Tutu in seven matchday squads across all competitions arounds spells with Bochum, Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest and Rotherham United. He proved to be a particularly strong presence with the Millers during 2022 before heading off to Germany.
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