Europe-based stars switch allegiances to Ghana ahead of World Cup
The world football governing body FIFA has approved nationality changes for five European-born Ghanaian star players.
Athletic Club’s Inaki Williams, Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey, Stephan Ambrosius, Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer, and Patric Pfeiffer all been cleared to feature for the four-time African champions.
The latest development was confirmed on Tuesday evening by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) through the association president Kurt Okraku.
“Tariq Lamptey, Inaki Williams, Mohammed Salisu, Stephan Ambrosius, Patrick Pfeffer and Ransford_Yeboah available for national selection,” he wrote on twitter. 
Lamptey was a former member of England's U-21 team made a u-turn having declined an invitation in June to play for the Ghana team. Inaki on the other hand was a Spain U-21 player who went on to make one senior national team appearance with the former world champions.
FIFA rules stipulate that players can switch countries if they have not played more than three matches for a country before the age of 21 and have not featured in a World Cup or continental tournament.
Hamburger SV defender Ambrosius, like 20-year-old forward Ransford-Yeboah, is a former Germany U-21 player. Meanwhile, Pfeiffer, who was born in Hamburg, has never represented Germany.
Williams who is the notable player in the latest move posted a video on Twitter and shared the reasons behind his latest move.
“Every step we take forward has its own meaning. An evolution,” he said.
“A glance into the future which leaves a trace itself. A legacy. My parents have raised me with values based on humility, respect and love.
“They have taught me to embrace life in that constant quest to continue growing and working.
“Upon the pursuit of growing as an individual, that is why I feel the moment has come for me to find my origins within myself.
“And with Africa and Ghana which means so much to me and my family, I want to return a small part of everything it has given to us because it has played a significant part in becoming who I am as a person.
“As a son and as a brother, today a new challenge begins. From now on, I will defend Ghana’s T-shirt with all my will whilst I give my best. I am one of the Black Stars.”
The Black Stars are in the group H of the World Cup alongside Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay.
