The Ghana Football Association has abandoned its attempts to poach Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah from England for the World Cup in Qatar. He is eligible to declare for either nation.
That is according to GHANAsoccernet, which reports the West Africans have now ended an attempt to get Nketiah to switch nationality. He has previously featured for England at U18 to U21 levels. But the 23-year-old can opt to represent the Black Stars through his parents.
Ghana made several attempts to convince Nketiah to declare for Otto Addo’s squad ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. The forward is yet to feature at the senior level with the Three Lions after a prolific U21 spell. He is England’s all-time top U21 scorer with 16 in 17 games.
Ghana tried to poach Nketiah from England after the Arsenal star’s comments
Nketiah last featured for England at the junior level in March 2021 while serving as captain under Aidy Boothroyd. He is since noted to have stated his willingness to change allegiance to the Black Stars earlier on this year. But the London-born star is still reluctant to commit.
The GFA advanced its bid to convince Nketiah to declare for Ghana in view of Qatar 2022 in response to his remarks. The governing body believes the Arsenal product could contribute beneficially to Addo’s frontline during Group H against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
But Nketiah has not given Addo his approval for a call-up with less than a month left before Ghana start their World Cup campaign. Instead, the striker appears uninterested in playing for the Black Stars in Qatar. So, he is likely giving up on a chance to play at this World Cup.
Addo will have a number of overseas-born stars in his squad in Qatar
Addo will have a number of overseas-born players in his World Cup squad in Qatar, even if Nketiah is opposed to representing Ghana. The GFA successfully convinced Tariq Lamptey to switch his allegiance from England and Inaki Williams from Spain earlier on in the year.
With the further addition of Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu, The GFA has hope for what the Black Stars can achieve. But the presence of Nketiah may take their attack up a notch alongside the likes of Athletic Bilbao’s Williams and Jordan Ayew of Crystal Palace.
Nketiah had already produced on the junior international stage before becoming England’s record U21 goalscorer. He recorded four goals over two U18 games, nine in 10 U19 outings and six in nine U20 matches. Boothroyd also gave him his U21 bow before his U20 debut.
Yet the striker is having an indifferent season at the domestic level in north London. Mikel Arteta has only started Nketiah during Europa League fixtures so far this term. All 10 of his Premier League games have come as a substitute totalling 106 minutes without any goals.
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