Both footballers were born in Spain and ply their trades at Athletic Bilbao, but are eligible to play for the Black Stars.
Published
3 years agoon
By
Joe Pee
Brothers Inaki and Nico Williams, who were born in Spain, have reportedly accepted to switch nationality to play for Ghana.
Both footballers were born in Spain and ply their trades at Athletic Bilbao, but are eligible to play for the Black Stars.
The Williams brothers were born to Ghanaian parents who emigrated to the European nation over two decades ago.
According to a report by Ghanasoccernet, the duo have finally agreed and accepted to play for the country of their parents.
Inaki Williams has now played in every LaLiga game for the past SIX YEARS! 🤯
224 games in a row. Never injured. Never suspended. Never left out.
He needs to be studied 💪 pic.twitter.com/angKqgLCL7
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 17, 2022
The report suggests the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has also begun the processes to facilitate their nationality switch.
Should this happen, Inaki and Nico will be available to feature at the 2022 World Cup later this year in Qatar.
The Black Stars have been paired in a tough Group H, where they’ll be facing Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
Meanwhile, in an interview in 2021, Inaki turned down the opportunity to play for Ghana, insisting he didn’t want to unfairly take the place of any Ghanaian footballer in the national team.
🚨 Iñaki and Nico Williams have agreed to play for Ghana! 🇬🇭
The process to validate their availability to the national side has already started.
Iñaki has played for Spain, but only for a friendly match. 🇪🇸
(Source: @Ghanasoccernet) pic.twitter.com/5rFkhXQ1uB
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) April 26, 2022
“My parents are from Accra and I really enjoy going there. But I wasn’t born or raised there, my culture’s here, and there are players for whom it would mean more,” he told the Guardian.
“I don’t think it would be right to take the place of someone who really deserves to go and who feels Ghana 100%.”
The 27-year-old also stated that he only has eyes for Spain, explaining that he feels more Spanish than Ghanaian despite having Ghanaian parents.
“I’m grateful to where I grew and became who I am. Ghana tried to convince me, but I was born in Spain, in Bilbao.
“I won’t ever forget my family roots, but I feel Basque and can’t con anyone. I would be comfortable with Ghana, I’m sure, but I shouldn’t be there,” he added.