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Ghana’s international midfielder Winful Cobbinah received Albanian citizenship and passport, which could pave the way for the former Hearts of Oak player to change his allegiance to play for the European country, Ghanasoccernet can exclusively report. com.
Albania’s President Ilir Meta granted full citizenship of the Southeastern European country and, along with it, received a passport that would allow him to move freely in many European countries, Ghana’s main soccer news team can reveal. Ghanasoccernet.com.
Cobbinah, who guided Ghana to winning the Wafu Nations Cup trophy just three years ago, has been in explosive form for Albanian first division TK Tirana since joining them after that tournament on Cape Coast.
But the Albanian government leader granted citizenship to the KF Tirana midfielder after several public calls from ordinary citizens of the country to have Cobbinah recognized for his talent and exemplary conduct.
The 29-year-old was granted full citizenship even though he has only spent two years in Albania, as it takes five years of continuous legal stay to apply for citizenship.
Below is the decree of the Albanian government granting Cobbinah citizenship
It means that you now have your Ghana passport and can still play for the Black Stars for which you have three caps.
Given that the Ghanaian has not spent five years in Albania, the decision of the country’s president, who is also a fervent supporter of KF Tirana, to hand over citizenship to the Ghanaian speaks volumes about how he is qualified in that country.
Many also see this move by the Albanian government as an attempt to convince Cobbinah to change his nationality to play for them, despite the fact that he has been invited to the Ghana senior team a couple of times.
But with the relaxation of FIFA’s change of nationality regulations, it could be an Albanian decision to get him to play for them even though Cobbinah has expressed no interest in playing for him.
Others also say that Tirana’s Albanian team wants him to play in UEFA club competitions as a native so they can bring in more foreigners.
Cobbinah follows other African soccer players, including well-known Abraham Alechenu, Charles Ofoye and James Adeniyi, who have received Albanian passports in the past.
The former Hearts of Oak star played an influential role for the team, as assured the Katergoria Superiore last season, ending an 11-year drought in the top flight with his latest success in the 2008/2009 season.
Since arriving from Hearts of Oak in Ghana two years ago, Cobbinah has been a mainstay of the team, scoring 10 goals in a total of 58 games so far and providing several assists.
The poster boy has been rewarded by the country’s president after granting him citizenship in just two years.
By Patrick Akoto
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