Audio By Carbonatix
Midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong will be available for Ghana at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations after his nationality switch was ratified by world football governing body Fifa.
The 20-year old, who is on loan at Charlton from Arsenal, represented England at U-16 and U-17 levels.
But he has been given the go ahead to play for the country of his birth by Fifa after the Scottish FA submitted a letter confirming that Frimpong, who holds dual Ghanaian and British citizenship, has not played for them at competitive level last week.
Frimpong can now be picked for Ghana's 2013 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in South Africa next year.
It also formalizes an ambition for Frimpong that stretches back to two years ago when he declared "I have always said that, no matter what, I will always play for Ghana because I believe I am a Ghanaian".
He added: "England has done a lot for me and my family but at the end of the day I can't see myself playing for England because I am not English - I am from Ghana", he added.
However, Frimpong faces a tough task to force his way into Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah's squad as Ghana's midfield is thought to contain their best players.
Frimpong will be up against the hugely experienced duo of Anthony Annan and Derek Boateng for a place in central midfield as well the promising France-based Rabui Mohammed and Parma's Afriyie Acquah.
He becomes the fifth player after goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey, Quincy Owusu Abeyie and Kevin-Prince Boateng to take advantage of Fifa's rule change of nationality and switch to Ghana after representing an European country at youth level.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Luv FM High School Debate: Anticipation builds as schools battle for supremacy in Round of 16
18 minutes -
Banking sector deposits jump 25% to GH¢334.3bn in 2025 — PwC
35 minutes -
Hostel Owners Association bares teeth over legality of rent control campaign against exorbitant fees
42 minutes -
GCB overtakes Ecobank as Ghana’s largest deposit-taking bank
43 minutes -
Young Cocoa Farmers petition Mahama over funding, producer price and start date for new cocoa season
54 minutes -
Ruha Benjamin challenges Africa to shape its own AI future
56 minutes -
Trump threatens to bomb US ally Oman if it ‘gets in the way’ over Iran deal
1 hour -
FIFA sacks senior executive who criticised Infantino, Sky News understands
1 hour -
Aksa saga: Don’t turn EOCO-OSP roles into turf war – Deputy AG
1 hour -
Abandoned Dome-Berekuso-Kitase road project should not become a waste of taxpayers’ money — chief warns
1 hour -
University of Gold Coast graduates urged to prove themselves beyond certificates
2 hours -
GoldBod sets new X-Ray Fluorescence standard for gold purity testing from September 1
2 hours -
Why EOCO, not OSP, is leading AKSA bribery probe – Deputy AG explains
2 hours -
Republic Bank-JoyNews Habitat Fair to kick off with Mini-fair at Achimota Mall on August 21
2 hours -
From promises to poisoned rivers: The dangerous silence fueling Ghana’s escalating galamsey and environmental collapse
2 hours