Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah has spoken warmly about his trip to Ghana, describing a visit that combined family celebration, community engagement and continued professional commitment.
The England-born forward, whose parents hail from Ghana, used the occasion of his mother’s 60th birthday to travel home, where he also helped organise a football tournament as part of the festivities.
Nketiah, who maintains close ties to Ghana through his extended family, explained that trips home have become a regular part of his life away from football, allowing him to balance rest with the responsibilities that come with being a public figure of Ghanaian heritage.
It was really nice to be able to be back, enjoy myself and have some time off and still continue to work as well. So it was really enjoyable and I try to go back as often as possible.” Eddie Nketiah, Crystal Palace and Ghanaian-heritage forward
The striker, who was born and raised in London but has never hidden his connection to his parents’ homeland, said the trip carried particular significance this year because of his mother’s birthday. The family marked the occasion with a football tournament, continuing what has become something of a tradition for Nketiah, who has organised similar community football initiatives in Ghana in the past through his charitable work.
Despite the celebratory nature of the trip, Nketiah made clear that time off the pitch did not mean time away from his professional obligations. He described being able to combine leisure with continued work commitments as one of the more rewarding aspects of the visit, a balance he said he hopes to keep returning for.
Nketiah’s ties to Ghana have long been a talking point in football circles, with the striker having previously been linked with a possible international switch from England to the Black Stars.