Athletic Bilbao have confirmed star striker Inaki Williams will join up with Ghana’s national team squad next week ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, despite the club’s hopes to retain him through Thursday’s La Liga clash with Sevilla.
Williams, 29, is set to make his debut international appearance for the Black Stars after confirming last summer his switch of national allegiance from Spain to the country of his parents’ birth. Ghana manager Chris Hughton named Williams in his 27-man roster on Monday for the continental championship hosted by Ivory Coast.
According to Athletic, although they lobbied for Williams to feature versus bitter rivals Sevilla on January 4th before linking up with Ghana, the country’s FA have demanded his early release along with the rest of their Europe-based cohort on January 1st.
Williams will now travel to begin preparations on Monday, cutting short his availability for struggling Athletic as they battle relegation in Spain’s top flight league. However, the call-up marks a watershed moment for the Bilbao-born striker.
Despite representing Spain from U-21 through to full senior level previously, Williams has opted to embrace his Ghanaian heritage by committing his international future to the four-time African champions. His injection of athleticism, strength and lethal finishing ability up front could be pivotal to Ghana’s AFCON 2023 quest.
Paired in a challenging Group B against Cape Verde, Egypt and Mozambique, the Black Stars are desperate to rekindle the golden generations of the past that landed continental glory. After Athletic reluctantly sanctioned his release, Williams arrives eager to spearhead a long-awaited return to the summit of African football for his parents’ beloved Ghana.
