Ghanaian-born midfielder Samuel Kwaku Bekoe has received the all-clear to play international football for Sierra Leone.
This is after the Ghana Football Association (GFA) granted a “no objection request” from the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) in their quest to get the player to represent them.
The 24-year-old has been playing in Sierra Leone since December 2019 when he joined FC Johansen from then Ghana Premier League side Inter Allies FC.
Bekoe openly declared his interest in representing Sierra Leone in international football September last year saying:
“I love Sierra Leone so much because I’ve stayed here for not too long but I feel more like I’m living in Ghana which is my home.
“I love the people of Sierra Leone because they love visitors. And I love the food in Sierra Leone as well, not forgetting about that.
“I feel naturally connected to Sierra Leone and I have an auntie who is also a Sierra Leonian so I think the connection is there. And that is why I’ve been in love with the country from day one.
“I will love to play for Sierra Leone if given the chance,” the lanky midfielder – who is not capped by Ghana at any level – declared in an interview with Sierra Sports.
It is understood that Sierra Leone officials initially dragged feet over pursuing Bekoe’s switch but his five man-of-the-match award performances for FC Johansen in the ongoing Premier League pushed the West Africans to secure him ahead of their participation in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon early next year.
The SLFA in a statement Thursday said it “secured the services of FC Johansen midfielder Samuel Kwaku Bekoe to represent Sierra Leone in the Afcon tournament in Cameroon in January 2022.”
The statement added: “the Ghana FA has officially approved a NO OBJECTION REQUEST, thereby grant the midfield sensation the opportunity to be part of the Leone Stars lineup.
“Samuel has consented and greeted the invitation with delight and humbled to be invited to represent Sierra Leone and in particular Leone Stars.
“The Ghana FA has also extended cordialities and best wishes in sportsmanship.”
Samuel Bekoe becomes the third Ghanaian – after Jamal Arago and Kennedy Boateng – to decide to represent another country over the past week.
