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KP Boateng and 10 Europe-born players who switched nationality to play for Black Stars

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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, Pulse Sports brings you a list of 11 Europe-born players who switched nationality to play for Ghana:

Kevin-Prince Boateng was born in Germany and represented the European nation at youth level but switched nationality to play for Ghana in 2010.

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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 grounds.

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.
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.

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Baffoe was one of the foremost recognised black players in the Bundesliga and was capped 25 times by Ghana, while playing in two AFCONs. 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 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.

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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 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.

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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.

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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.

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 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.

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Semenyo debuted for the Black Stars in a 3-0 AFCON qualifier against Madagascar.

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UCL: Bayern compounds Man U’s woes in 7goals thriller, as Arsenal return with a bang

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Bayern Munich on Wednesday night compounded Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United’s woes in a seven-goal thriller at the Allianz Arena.

The German champion beat Manchester United 4-3, leaving manager Ten Hag with more questions than answers about his defensive options following the team’s humiliating 3-1 home defeat to Brighton over the weekend.

Goals from Leroy Sane, and Serge Gnabri gave the German side a two-goal advantage in the first half before United fought their way back into the game.

Harry Kane and Mathys Tel completed Bayern’s lead over Man United in a game that was more of a contest than many expected.

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After the break United again started well, pulling a goal back on 49 minutes with Rasmus Hojlund recording his first goal for the club with the aid of two deflections.

Within minutes, Bayern won a penalty which made the game safe, and Eriksen was adjudged – first by VAR, who advised the ref to watch a replay – to have handled Dayot Upamecano’s header.

From the penalty spot, Kane made no mistake, and though Casemiro bagged two late goals to make things interesting, Tel’s goal saw the German champions take control of the group while United desperately needed a break.

Arsenal on the other hand enjoyed a fine return to the Champions League as they thrshed PSV Eindhoven 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners made a return to the Champions League after six years of absence from Europe’s elite competition. Arsenal last played in the Champions League in 2017.

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Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, and Martin Odegaard all scored as Arsenal sent the right warning across.

Arsenal started a goal rush with Saka getting Gunner’s first inside eight minutes before Trossard doubled the lead, Jesus added a third before the break and Odegaard capped off a fine evening.

David Raya retained his place in the Arsenal goal having replaced Aaron Ramsdale for Sunday’s Premier League win at Everton.

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Amusan relishes historic Diamond League win

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World women’s 100m hurdles record holder, Tobi Amusan, says the track in Eugene, Oregon holds a special place in her heart and her list of conquests.

The Nigerian wrapped up her season on an outstanding and record-breaking note by clinching the Wanda Diamond League title for the third consecutive year on Sunday night on the track she has come to affectionately call her own.

The 26-year-old posted an impressive performance in the 100m hurdles event at the Oregon Diamond League despite facing tough competition from Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Kendra Harrison, Danielle Williams, Nia Ali, Tia Jones and Megan Tapper.

Amusan started off strong and maintained her lead, clearing the final hurdle and finishing with an impressive season best time of 12.33secs. Camacho-Quinn from Puerto Rico gave a strong chase, coming in second in 12.38secs, while USA’s Harrison took third place in a time of 12.44secs.

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The world champion, Jamaica’s Williams, finished fourth in 12.47secs.

This remarkable victory marked Amusan’s third consecutive Diamond League title, making her only the second woman in Diamond League history to achieve a hat-trick of 100m hurdles titles.

The Nigerian athlete accomplished this feat on the same track in Oregon, where she had won the World Championship the previous year and set the current world record of 12.12secs.

After the race, an elated Amusan said, “I came out here and said it’s my race to lose, and I will give my all. I said it’s 200 or nothing because, 100 per cent, I am not winning today (Sunday). So, I came out here, and I told God to give me the strength.

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“I said this (racing in Eugene) is God’s track. I came here, I’m like ‘This is my track; I’m going to dominate’ and God did just that.”

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Amusan expressed gratitude to God, dedicating her win to her coach, her family, her fans and everyone who had supported her throughout the challenging year.

“Right now, I just want to rest. I’m just grateful to God; that’s all I can say this season. This win is not about me; it’s for my coach, my family, and everyone who supported me throughout this year. It’s been a rough one, and I’m just thankful,” she said.

The record-setting victory provided a glorious end to the season for Amusan, who had experienced disappointment after failing to defend her world title at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in August.

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I want to use my global network to help Nigerian soccer academies, says UK-born football agent, Nathaniel

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Chris Nathaniel has, for several years run one of the world’s leading sports talent and entertainment management agencies – his dream is to lead a Nigerian consortium to success with a Premier League team.

Based in London, United Kingdom, and operating throughout Europe and the world for some of the top names in sport, Chris reveals how it all started for him and his team and the interesting things they do for their clients.

Chris, proud of his Nigerian roots, said: “I’ve been in the sports and entertainment business for a long time. I first started with Chelsea legend, John Terry, then Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand, when they were both at their peak, so two top England stars.

“I also spent time looking after Wilfred Bonny (ex-Swansea who became the highest ever paid African player with his transfer to Manchester City), Steven Nzonzi (ex-Stoke City and World Cup winner with France in 2018), Brazilian midfielder, Robinho and now Luis Diaz (Liverpool), and quite a few other players.

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“I also looked after other talents like Usain Bolt and former WBC Heavyweight Boxing champion, Deontay Wilder, so sports and entertainment are in my blood. On the music front, I have worked with hip-hop icons like Jay Z, P Diddy, 50 Cent, and other talents, like models and actors, so quite experienced across the whole sports and entertainment industry.”

Nathaniel led the first ever African consortium to bid for a Premier League club Newcastle in 2008, unfortunately the bid was not accepted by then owner Mike Ashley, who eventually sold out to the Arabs.

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However, Nathaniel reveals he has unfinished business and has reached out to wealthy Nigerians, including Dangote, to launch another bid for a Premier league club. Nathaniel points to the recent valuation of clubs like Manchester United and Tottenham to highlight how Premier League clubs are great takeover targets – his knowledge of club values, structures and accessibility as takeover targets is second to none.

They are all profitable businesses and give tremendous global presence and Nathaniel believes having a Nigerian owner of a top club will not only be profitable, but it will give Nigeria a greater global profile, enhancing the economy and encouraging tourism. The potential for booming business in Nigeria will then help with the general development of Nigerian football.

Chris believes football in Nigeria needs an overhaul from top to bottom very similar to what the English FA did after continued failures at major tournaments. In England this resulted in a change of fortune for the English national team, which is now challenging for trophies for the first time since winning the World Cup in 1966.

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Nathaniel said: “We look after football players, we give them full support in coaching, mental health, support their passions and everything you can imagine.

“We take care of every angle for them, our job is to make sure they have long sustainable careers, make sure the right politics are played at their different football clubs, and make sure they get the best out of themselves to become the best they can be.

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