Football has gone through a series of revolutions, and despite the nationality switch rule having existed since the 20th century, the rule during that time allowed players to represent different countries at the senior level at different tournaments, only if, the player had citizenship.
For instance, Alfredo di Stefano played for Argentina in 1947, Colombia 1949 and Spain from 1957 to 1961.
But as the time went on, the need to protect countries from losing their best talent necessitated FIFA, the world soccer governing body, notably in 2004, to rethink the eligibility rules by requiring that a player must demonstrate a 'clear connection' to any country they wish to represent. The new law also allows a player to represent one country at the youth level, and another at the senior level, as long as the necessary 'connection' can be established.
Nonetheless, Ghana over the years has been at both ends; losing out on great talent, and gaining others. The purpose of this articles is to look at the latter: top 10 players of expatriate roots who naturalised for the country.
Otto Addo was born 9 June 1975 in Hamburg, Germany to Ghanaian parents. Addo had the option of playing for his country birth but instead chose to play for the Black Stars. He made 15 appearances for Ghana between 1999 and 2006. He was a member of the 2006 World Cup squad in Germany. In his playing days, Addo was known for being strong in one-one situations, physical, creative and versatile to play on both wings as well as in central midfield. His main ability was his dribbling skills.
During his playing career, Addo played for clubs like Hamburg 93, Hannover, Borussia Dortmund and Hamburger SV, all in Germany.
Hans Adu Sarpei was born in Tema in 1978, but left the shores of Ghana as a child. Before switching his nationality to play for Ghana, he was also eligible to play for the German National Team. Sarpei became a long regular for the Black Stars, playing as a full back during a period when the country was suffering from a shortage of quality full backs. He represented Ghana at four major competitions from 2000 to 2010. He was member of the 2006 and 2010 World Cup squads, as well as, the 2006 and 2010 African Cup squads. In all, he earned 36 caps for the national team with one goal to his credit. During his days in active football, Sarpei was known for his ability to play as either a left or right back. His composure on the ball was particularly important to the success chalked by the national team during that period.
Quincy Owusu Abeyie: Blessed with pace and an ability to beat defenders with ease, Abeyie was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 1986. He started his youth career with the Ajax academy before joining Arsenal in 2002. Before opting to play for Ghana, Owusu Abeyie had played for the Dutch youth systems.
Tipped to become a big success, his career was hit by a couple of wrong moves at club level, however, at the international level, Quincy became the fans favourite for his entertaining skills as he earned a total of 18 caps with two goals for Ghana. Sadly, his international career has been short-lived because of inactivity at club level.
Kwesi Appiah who came onto the scene at the last African Cup of Nations tournament was eligible to represent both Ghana and England. In 2015, however, he made his debut for the Black Stars in a 2-1 win over South African in the African Cup of Nations tourney.
Appiah was born in 1990, in England, and currently plays for English Premier Club Crystal Palace, as a Striker. He still has a distance to travel with the Black Stars as he is only 26 years old, and could maybe become a long term replacement for Ghana's captain Asamoah Gyan.
Kevin Prince Boateng, known for his strength, ball-juggling skills, footspeed, killer instinct and an eye for goal in the attacking third, Boateng was born in Berlin, Germany to a Ghanaian father and a German mother. Before switching his nationality to Ghana, Prince Boateng had represented the various German youth set-ups.
In May 2010, he received his first call-up to the Black Stars and made his debut in a 1-0 World Cup warmup win over Latvia, and between then and now, has 15 caps with two goals to his credit. The AC Milan player's international career has been characterised by clashes with officials of the Ghana FA, leading to his announcing his retirement abruptly in 2011, but rescinded his decision in 2013. Full of passion anytime he is in the national colours, Boateng still has a role to play in the national team, especially now that he has found his form again with AC Milan. Arguably, the 28 year-old is one of the finest expatriate players to feature for the Black Stars.
Kim Grant, born as Kimberley Tyrone Grant in Sekondi-Takoradi, was of British nationality but chose to play for his country of birth. He made his debut in 1996, though, he managed only seven caps and two goals for the Black Stars. The striker who played for more than 10 English clubs is one of first players with dual nationality to play for the country.
Tony Baffoe
One of the best defenders the country has ever seen was born in Germany to a former Ghanaian diplomat. That meant Tony had the option of playing for either his country of birth, or for Ghana. He started his international career with the Black Stars in 1991, and between that year and 1994, he was capped 16 times with a goal to his credit. He was also the first expatriate player to feature for the Black Stars.
He was notable for his displays during the 1992 and 1994 African Cup of Nations tournament, especially in the former, when Ghana was beaten in the finals by the Ivory Coast on penalties.
Emmanuel Frimpong, born in Kumasi in 1992, started his career in 2001 with the highly rated Arsenal youth system, and played for the English youth set-ups too.
Although Frimpong represented England at youth level, and holds both Ghanaian and English passports, he has always maintained that he is a Ghanaian and in March 2013, he made his international debut for Ghana in a World Cup qualifier against Sudan.
The 24 year-old who currently plays in the Russia League for Ufa as a defensive midfielder, still has many years ahead of him and would be hoping to play his quota anytime his given the chance to represent his country.
Jeffrey schlupp, an epitome of versatility and power, Schlupp can play as either a left back or as a winger. He was born in Hamburg, Germany in 1992. Before pledging alliance to Ghana in 2011, he held German citizenship.
The powerful and pacey 23 year old started his career with current English Premier League leaders Leicester, in 2005, where he played to date. He has so far earned 11 caps and a goal for Ghana. Unfortunately, Schlupp happens to have joined the Black Stars at a time where there is tough competition in the team for his positons, thereby limiting his chances. Nevertheless, regarded as one of the fastest players in the English top flight, the 23 year old still has plenty of years ahead, hence remains a huge future prospect for the national team.
Adam Kwarasey born as Adambathia Larsen Kwarasey, in Oslo, Norway to a Ghanaian father and a Norwegian mother, Adam Kwarasey is the first expatriate goalkeeper to play for the Black Stars. Kwarasey currently plays his football in the Major Soccer League in the USA for Portland Timbers. He represented Norway at the U-21 level but chose to represent his father's country, Ghana at the international level. Kwarasey thus far, has 22 caps to his credit; representing Ghana at the 2012 African Cup of Nations, and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Despite having fallen out with managers of the Ghana FA, Kwarasey is just 28 years and for a goalkeeper, he still has well over a decade to play in active football, and would be hoping his grievances are addressed to enable him represent the national team.
All said, as the hunt for players with Ghanaian descent gets hotter now, I believe a more subtle and proactive approach by the Ghana Football Association at spotting and supporting young players everywhere with Ghanaian heritage would enable the country to have at its disposure, an abundance of players who are willing to wear the national colours.
In this vein, the appetite of only going for 'already made' players who often jilt the country, and rightfully so, because they feel the country has not played role in their development, must cease!
Source: Thomas-Moore Adingo, thebftonline, Ghana