Omanghana
Vietnam has granted citizenship to Nigerian-born striker Michael Olaha and British-born forward Williams Lee, allowing both players to be registered as domestic footballers in the country’s top-flight league.
The decisions, approved by Vietnam’s State President, were formally presented to the players at the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Justice on September 18, 2026.
Olaha, who was born in 1997, adopted the Vietnamese name Olaha Manh Duc, while Lee, born in 2007, is now officially known as Williams Minh Hoang. Both players represent Cong An Ho Chi Minh City FC.
Olaha described the citizenship approval as the fulfilment of a long-held dream and pledged to continue contributing to his club and Vietnamese football.
The 1.86-metre striker joined Cong An Ho Chi Minh City ahead of the 2026-27 season after scoring nine goals in 26 V-League appearances for Song Lam Nghe An during the previous campaign.
Williams, meanwhile, recorded six goals in 17 V-League matches for Cong An Ho Chi Minh City during the 2025-26 season. He also scored twice in three National Cup appearances as the club won the competition.
Their naturalisation means the club can register them as Vietnamese players rather than counting them under the league’s foreign-player quota.
The move could also expand Vietnam’s options at international level, subject to applicable football eligibility regulations.
Williams has already received his first national-team invitation after head coach Kim Sang Sik included him in a 23-player squad for the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia.
He was one of two overseas-born Vietnamese players earning their first call-ups, alongside France-born defender Nguyen Adou Leygley Minh.
The citizenship approvals reflect Vietnam’s growing interest in retaining foreign-born professionals who have established strong sporting and personal connections with the country.
Source: Omanghana
