Ghanaian winger Kwabena Appiah-Kubi is being courted to declare his international allegiance to New Zealand as he is also eligible to play for the Australia national team.
New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert has approached the Western Sydney Wanderers playmaker as he is eligible to play for three countries.
The 20-year-old, who was born in New Zealand to Ghanaian parents, moved to the Australian city of Sydney at the age of nine.
Having acquired Australian nationality, Appiah-Kubi now has the chance to choose among three countries including the home of his parents Ghana.
Appiah-Kubi has not played for Australia at any level, there aren't expected to be any complications should he choose to play for any of the countries.
All Whites coach Ricki Herbert has watched his development with some interest, and met Appiah-Kubi to discuss his international intentions.
Appiah-Kubi says he is in no hurry to make a decision on his international allegiance, simply confirming Herbert made him an approach.
“He (Herbert) spoke to me after the 2-0 win in Wellington recently, and gave me a lay-out of what playing for the New Zealand national team would be like, how the set up would be,†Appiah-Kubi said.
“I listened to what he had to say and have talked about it with my parents, but I am not really close to making a decision at this stage of my career, but I will keep it in mind.
“At the moment I am not going to make a decision after one season and my first year as a pro and do something I might not want.
“When it comes down to having to choose I’ll make my mind up, I’m not really thinking about it at all, I’m letting my management handle that, I’m just concerned about playing better for the Wanderers.â€
New Zealand have recently completed a successful Oceania World Cup qualifying campaign.
Now only a two-legged play-off against a North/Central American (CONCACAF) team later this year stands between New Zealand and a trip to Brazil.
The chance of Appiah-Kubi playing for Ghana is for him to leave Australia to play for some of the top clubs in Europe as competition for places in the Black Stars team is really tight.
Two years ago, striker Kofi Danning opted to play for Australia even though he could have played for Ghana, where he was born.