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20.11.2008 Football News

GFA Shows Interest In Welbeck

20.11.2008 LISTEN
By Times Sports Reporter - newtimesonline.com

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has revealed that it is highly convinced that Manchester United prodigy, Danny Welbeck would opt for the Black Stars.

Welbeck who turns 18 on November 26 is currently a member of the English U-19 side, but the GFA is sure the youngster will settle on the Black Stars with respect to his national team's future.

The teenager, born to Ghanaian parents in Longsight, Manchester, hit the headlines this week after his spectacular goal last Saturday in Manchester United's 5-0 drubbing of Stoke City.

Randy Abbey, spokesperson for GFA told GNA Sports in Accra that his outfit has been in constant touch with the Manchester-born striker over making a switch to the Black Stars.

“The GFA president has been in constant talks with his family, and the response is quite encouraging,” Abbey said.

Welbeck is still eligible to feature for the Black Stars up to his 21st birthday and Abbey believes the decision could come any time soon.

“There is still much to be cleared with respect to the player's career development and gaining a regular place in the Manchester United first team,” Abbey said.

“But we are very sure that when the time is due for the player to make a national team choice, it will be the Black Stars.

Abbey backed the move for the Manchester United prodigy on the GFA's policy to get on board eligible players born outside Ghana towards the strengthening of the various national teams.

This come just a day after Hull City's former Dutch international George Boateng expressed regret over playing for the European country instead of the Black Stars.

Birmingham City attacking midfielder, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie was cleared to feature for the Black Stars on the eve of the opening match of the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations last January.

Owusu-Abeyie, a product of the Arsenal Youth team had previously laced his boot for the Dutch U-19 team.

Welbeck was promoted to the Manchester United first team by Manager, Sir Alex Ferguson during the latter stages of last season after a string of fine performances for the Reserve side of the team.

He has featured twice for English U-19 side this year, and was one of two Ghanaians that featured for England at the last FIFA U-17 World Cup in Korea.

Seth Nana Ofori Twumasi of Chelsea also featured for the English team that exited at the quarter-finals. 

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