Gabby Otchere-Darko (L) has backed calls for Nketiah (R) to join the Black Stars
A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has welcomed the idea of English-born player of Ghanaian descent, Eddie Nketiah, joining the Black Stars.
According to him, the World Cup is a top-tier tournament that is highly competitive, and therefore requires a strong team with squad depth to excel.
He noted that there is nothing wrong with Nketiah being called up to the Black Stars if he hits top form, scoring and performing well when the tournament approaches, despite not participating in the qualifiers.
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The legal practitioner urged the Black Stars technical team to invite Nketiah to join the squad, in order to avoid future competition with England should the player continue to perform well ahead of the Mundial.
Read Gabby’s full statement as shared on X on October 15, 2025 below:
There’s a heated debate about Eddie Nketiah’s interest in the Black Stars. I understand the sentiment behind “monkey dey work, baboon dey chop.” Why should he come for the glory after others did the hard work?
However, we have to be strategic. We are building a team for the 2026 World Cup in America, not just to make up the numbers, but to make a statement. We want to do well, and we dare to dream.
With that goal, we need our absolute best squad. If Eddie Nketiah, playing for a competitive side in the Premier League, has a blistering season and is “banging in the goals,” we should welcome him. Let’s be clear: if he hits that form, the English FA will be watching and will try to lure him back. I will commit him to Ghana now as a member of the squad to lock him in!
Our road to 2026 and our performance there is bigger than any one player. Excelling on the world’s biggest stage transforms Ghana from a backup plan into a primary destination for talented dual-nationality players. They will want to play for a successful, ambitious Black Stars team.
Let’s put our best foot forward. Our success is what will make us the undeniable first choice.
Read the tweet below
There’s a heated debate about Eddie Nketiah’s interest in the Black Stars. I understand the sentiment behind “monkey dey work, baboon dey chop.” Why should he come for the glory after others did the hard work?
However, we have to be strategic. We are building a team for the 2026… https://t.co/z9bsxTL60y
— Gabby Otchere-Darko (@GabbyDarko) October 15, 2025
SB/JE
Meanwhile, watch highlights of Ghana’s 1-0 win over Comoros in the World Cup qualifiers
