If only African countries could have all the players who, via ancestry or birthplace, could play for their national teams – by now we would at least have an African finalist at a World Cup. It is more than enough to only look at the French national team in the last 50 years and it is obvious how big of an influence African footballers have on Les Bleus’ successes.Well, one of the African giants is getting closer to such a scenario as two massive talents have decided to represent the country of their parents. The Williams brothers of Athletic Bilbao – Inaki and Nico – will switch their allegiance from Spain to Ghana.Spain-born brothers have reportedly agreed to represent the Black Stars. GFA – the local football governing body – has already begun the process of confirming their availability.🇬🇭 It seems as though Iñaki and Nico Williams will play for the Ghanaian National Team in upcoming tournaments. #LLL🧡🇪🇸⚽️ pic.twitter.com/4TI1O1lhkx— La Liga Lowdown 🧡🇪🇸⚽️ (@LaLigaLowdown) April 27, 2022 According to reports, the footballers are said to have decided to leave Spain for Ghana with their Ghanaian parents’ approval – they were convinced by their parents to focus on Ghana because they appear to be out of Spain’s plans.In an interview last year, Inaki expressed reservations about switching nationalities for Ghana.”My parents are from Accra, and I really enjoy going. But I wasn’t born or raised there, my culture is here, and there are players who would mean more.” the older of the brothers said.”I don’t think it would be right to take the place of someone who really deserves to go and feels Ghana 100%,” he added.A lot has changed since that interview – of course, the biggest factor being that the Black Stars have qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Ghana has been assigned to Group H for the World Cup in Qatar, which will be held later this year, along with Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea. There is also the issue of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which will begin in May.It comes as no surprise that Inaki and Nico have a better chance of playing for Ghana in Qatar than they do for Spain. Inaki did represent Spain, but because it was an unofficial match, he is eligible for Ghana. His younger brother Nico has not represented Spain at the senior level but has made a couple of appearances for U18 and U21 teams.24.11. Thu 18:00: (1.55) Portugal (3.80) Ghana (7.00)If the switch does happen, the Black Stars will get an immense boost in quality. Inaki has now gone six years without missing a league game, which is incredible considering he has broken the record and is setting a new one. Nico made his senior debut for Bilbao last year and is now considered a regular, making 30 league appearances this season.Apart from the Williams brothers – Ghanaians are hoping their national football association will manage to lure more talent to start representing the west African country. Chelsea’s Calum Hudson-Odoi has been going back and forth with officially putting England behind him and becoming the newest Ghana national team prospect. Also, Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah has been pressured by one of the Black Stars’ main men – Thomas Partey – to switch his allegiance from the Three Lions to Ghana.
