Former Ghana Premier League top scorer Latif Blessing completes nationality switch to Niger

Former Ghana Premier League sensation Latif Atta Blessing has completed a nationality switch to represent the Niger national team.

The 29-year-old attacking midfielder, currently playing for Lexington SC in the United States, received his maiden call-up to the Nigerien squad for upcoming international friendlies against Libya and Togo in March 2026.

A Move Fuelled by Frustration

The decision marks the end of Blessing’s long-standing hope to play for Ghana’s Black Stars. Despite a stellar domestic career where he was named the 2016 Ghana Premier League Player of the Year and finished as the league’s top scorer with 17 goals with Liberty Professionals, Blessing was consistently overlooked for senior caps.

Although he was included in Ghana’s preliminary squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, he failed to make the final roster and never featured in a competitive match for his home country.

Blessing had previously expressed frustration over the lack of opportunities with Ghana, even hinting at a potential switch to represent the United States during his peak years in Major League Soccer (MLS).

However, the move to Niger offers the experienced midfielder a direct path to international football as he enters a new chapter of his career in the USL Championship.

Qualification and the Nigerien Connection

Blessing qualifies to represent Niger through naturalization, joining a growing contingent of Ghanaian-born players who have opted to represent the “Ménas”.

The Nigerien Football Federation has recently intensified efforts to recruit talented players from the sub-region who remain uncapped by their nations of birth.

Blessing joins the likes of Salim Abubakar, Najeeb Yakubu, and Daniel Sosah, all of whom have transitioned from the Ghanaian football system to become integral members of the Nigerien national setup.

Career Pedigree and International Ambition

Niger gains a player with significant high-level experience. Blessing spent nearly a decade in the United States, becoming a fan favourite at Los Angeles FC (LAFC), where he won the 2022 MLS Cup and two Supporters’ Shields.

He also lifted the 2017 U.S. Open Cup with Sporting Kansas City. Now a leader at Lexington SC, Blessing is expected to bring creative energy and championship pedigree to a Niger side looking to bolster its squad ahead of future 2027 AFCON qualifiers.