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Earlier today, Paul Tenorio at FourFourTwo tweeted a confirmation that Whitecaps striker Kekuta Manneh has now received his U.S. Citizenship:
US Soccer confirms Kekuta Manneh has received citizenship. Now waiting for FIFA waiver; hopeful it happens before friendlies at end of camp.
— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) January 11, 2017
Bruce Arena’s mid-December invitation to the next U.S. Men’s National Team training camp, taking place towards the end of January, all but confirmed that Manneh’s citizenship was forthcoming. All that’s left is for Manneh to receive from FIFA a waiver allowing him to play on the USMNT, as he had previously played for The Gambian U-20 national team.
The call-up was its own significant step in the growth and potential in Manneh’s footballing career while the USMNT have the potential to add a dynamism to their roster that we’re already quite familiar with.
And, as pointed out by Sports Illustrated, he no longer has to commute to BC Place from Point Roberts, which in itself is a big win.