Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has emphasized the importance of players with dual nationality committing to the Ghana national team early in their careers.
Addo made these remarks during a press conference where he announced the squad for the upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
When asked about the possibility of British-born players Eddie Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi joining the Black Stars, Addo revealed that he had already reached out to them ahead of Ghana’s crucial 2022 World Cup playoff against Nigeria. However, both players requested more time to make their decisions.
“Before we played against Nigeria in 2022, I was after them, and they said they needed time. They are still not here, but the door is always open,” Addo said.
He stressed that players interested in representing Ghana should make their decision early to get familiar with the team, the coach, and the country, rather than waiting until just before a major tournament.
“This is the only point where I say the door is closed,” Addo continued, highlighting the challenges of integrating new players at the last minute. “So, they [Nketiah and Hudson-Odoi] are always welcome.”
Ghana is set to face Angola on September 5 in Kumasi, followed by a match against Niger on September 9 in Morocco, as they aim to secure a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
[Scroll down to watch the full video of the press conference.]
