Belgian defender surprised to make Ghana’s squad to battle Nigeria

A former Belgian international has confirmed that Ghana have invited him to be a part of the squad set to face Nigeria over two legs in the coming days

Club Brugge defender Denis Frimpong Odoi has expressed his surprise at Ghana selecting him to be a part of the Black Stars squad set to face Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Friday. 

FIFA only recently approved Denis Odoi’s request for a change of international allegiance, making the Club Brugge fullback eligible to feature for Ghana.

A former Belgian youth international, Odoi made an appearance for the senior Belgian national team in 2012 but remained fit to play for the West African nation, his father’s country of birth.

And with Ghana in need of quality players to prosecute their double-header qualifiers against eternal rivals Nigeria, the GFA have invited the 33-year-old for the crucial games.

Even Odoi is surprised by the call-up, but he is delighted to represent the Black Stars, even if he feels more Belgian than Ghanaian.

“I was a bit surprised,” the former Fulham defender confessed, as per HammyEnd, about earning a call-up so soon after completing his switch of allegiance.

“These are two vital matches that we are going to play. I might even go to the World Cup.

“Do I feel like a real Ghanaian? We are not going to be stupid: I am of course more Belgian. But my father is from Ghana, so that’s part of me anyway. That is why I am proud to play for the national team.”

Ghana are yet to release their squad list for the games against the Super Eagles, but reports indicate that may change in the next few hours.