Germany would be reluctant to allow its talented teenage striker Jamie Leweling play for Ghana as it fights to hold onto its top talented youngsters, Ghanasoccernet.com can reveal.
A highly-respected German media outfit has hinted that that 'the DFB will not willingly let one of its greatest offensive talents go' after Ghana slapped in a request to get the youngster to play for the Black Stars.
The 19-year-old, who plays for German side Greuther Furth, is the newest player to be called up by Ghana coach Charles Ck Akonnor for this month's back-to-back 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan on November 12th and 17th.
Leweling, who was born in Nuremberg to a Ghanaian mother, was part of the professional squad at the “Kleeblatt” last season and is also a regular part of the first team this season.
The two-footed attacker was linked with Schalke 04 , Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan in the summer . At least for this season, he decided to stay with the Franks, despite the interest.
This sparked the interest of Akonnor to call Leweling up for the upcoming matches but must apply to FIFA for a nationality switch before he can play for the Black Stars since he has played for the junior national teams of Germany.
As part of the process, Leweling must apply to German federation for a letter to confirm his appearances for the junior national team of the European country.
This is what Transfermarkt has reported that the German football federation, known as the DFB, would be reluctant to release the documents to help Leweling get the clearance from FIFA to give him the chance to play for Ghana.
"It is not yet clear whether Leweling will play for the "Black Stars" in the future. For this, the Furth player would now have to apply for a change of association. It is to be expected that the DFB will not willingly let one of its greatest offensive talents go," the German portal wrote on Thursday night.
Akonnor, who played almost 220 first and second division games for Fortuna Cologne, Wolfsburg and Unterhaching, wants the German U20 international to play in the upcoming Africa Cup qualifying games against Sudan on November 12th and 17th.
“He is a young man whose name is on everyone's lips and who has aroused the interest of many top teams,” said Akonnor when asked about Leweling.
“He's growing very quickly. He just got a chance in the second team and now he's with the first team. He's a player who I think is a hope for the future. "
However, even if Leweling played for Ghana in a competitive match, he would not be lost for the German national team according to the latest FIFA regulations.
Players up to the age of 21 can therefore only play for a nation from their fourth appearance - or if they take part in the finals of a continental competition or the World Cup.
There must be a period of three years between assignments for one country and the other. At the age of 22, Leweling could choose the German team again if he plays for Ghana now, but not afterwards. The current FIFA regulations explained.