Barcelona's Lionel Messi (R) kicks the ball past Bayer Leverkusen's Karim Bellarabi during their Champions League last 16 second leg soccer match at Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona on Wednesday. (Photo: Reuters)
Ghana’s football Association president Kwesi Nyantekyie said on Wednesday the GFA is looking to pressure Bayer Leverkusen striker Karim Bellarabi into representing Ghana rather than Germany.
The 21- year-old striker was born in Berlin to a Ghanaian father and he played for the under-20 German national team.
“We have made contact with the father of Bellarabi over the possibility of the youngster playing for Ghana,” Kwesi Nyantekyie was quoted as saying by KickOff.
“It has been established that the boy has been following the Black Stars and the exploits of the team which means he has shown an interest in Ghana.
“We will do whatever we can to convince him to play for Ghana. With the early signs he has shown in the Bundesliga and the Champions League he will be a good addition to the attacking force of the Black Stars.”
Bellarabi scored the only goal for Leverkusen in their embarrassing 7-1 Champions League defeat by title holders Barcelona last week.
His father insisted that the final decision would be solely made by the player,
“When we were in Ghana in December he was very excited. The only thing is that since he grew up in Germany his interest must be nurtured, We will do our best to convince him to play for Ghana but ultimately Karim will make his decision,” Bellarabi’s father said.
The Black Stars squad boasts several players who have made such switch, including Quincy Owusu Abeyie, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Charles Takyie and Adam Kwarasey.
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