Exclusive: The former Chicago Fires striker has revealed he may be tempted to switch his allegiance this year after ‘constant snub’ by Ghana national team handlers
Montreal Impact striker Dominic Oduro believes his current form deserves a call up from Ghana coach Avram Grant ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Rwanda and Mozambique.
The 29-year-old, who represented Ghana in a friendly match against Chile in 2012, has been a massive success this season in Major League Soccer after his move from Toronto FC to the Canadian outfit, and has made 15 appearances with six goals. He says he may represent another nation instead of Ghana.
“I am a Ghanaian. I was born and raised there. I hope to earn a call up to play for the Black Stars but if things don’t change, something will happen,” Oduro told Goal.
“I still need to work hard and stay focused on Major League Soccer, but will be changing my nationality this year if I fail to earn an invitation from Ghana. Whether I will play for USA or Canada will be a subject for discussion later.
“Changing my nationality is currently not a priority because I want to concentrate on the ongoing season until the end. A lot of things are in the pipeline,” he added.
Oduro also believes the MLS is gradually catching up with the top leagues in Europe due to huge investments by clubs.
“MLS is on the rise because money is being invested. It has improved to the extent of bringing top-class players like Frank Lampard, David Villa, Del Piero and others but I believe it will surely catch up with European leagues in few years to come.”
Oduro holds a US green card, which also makes him a local player in the MLS, according to Fifa amended regulations in 2009. Players are generally not allowed to switch nationalities but friendly match appearances do not commit a player to one country.
Source : Goal.com