Ghana’s hopes of securing Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah to play for the Black Stars have suffered a setback as he receives his first call-up to the England national team. Nketiah’s strong start to the season, where he netted two goals in three matches for Arsenal, has earned him a spot in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the UEFA Euro qualifiers against Ukraine and a friendly against Scotland in the upcoming September international window.
Despite his eligibility to represent Ghana on the international stage, Nketiah’s inclusion in the England squad suggests that the race for his international future has been won by England. Previously, Nketiah had showcased his talent in various England youth teams, but remained open to the possibility of playing for Ghana.
Last year, Nketiah confirmed discussions with Ghana about a potential nationality switch, indicating his willingness to consider representing Ghana due to his Ghanaian heritage. However, with England now calling him up for senior international duty, it seems that Nketiah is leaning towards continuing his international career with the Three Lions.
Nketiah’s impressive record of 16 goals for England’s U21 side sets a historic mark, and it showcases his potential to become a key figure in the future of English football. While the door is not entirely closed for a switch to Ghana, Nketiah’s current opportunities with England could make him more inclined to continue representing them.
The decision to represent a national team is a deeply personal one for any player, and it ultimately comes down to their aspirations and the opportunities they envision for themselves. If Nketiah’s chances become limited with England in the future, there remains a possibility that he might reconsider representing Ghana on the international stage.
For now, Ghana’s aspirations to secure Nketiah’s services have taken a blow, but the future remains uncertain. As football evolves, players have more options and opportunities to make decisions about their international careers, and it will be intriguing to see how Nketiah’s story unfolds in the coming years.