GHANA (goalnetwork) –- Ghana’s chances of using Gerald Asamoah have suffered a setback after the striker took a big step towards playing for Germany.

This week, Asamoah acquired a German passport and become eligible to play for Germany. The German federation is delighted by the news after months of desperate moves to persuade Asamoah not to play for Ghana.

The Ghana FA, which had failed to secure his release from Schalke for last Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone, was shocked by Asamoah’s decision to complete his naturalisation plans after he had agreed to play for the Black Stars at a meeting with the federation boss in Accra last month.

However, the GFA chairman Alhaji Jawula remains confident that Asamoah could still play for Ghana. "Gerald had assured me he will play for the Black Stars and until he plays for Germany, the door is open for us too use him," said an up-beat Jawula.

Jawula added that, according to FIFA rules, the Schalke striker could still play for Ghana despite getting a German passport. He said: "At the end of the day, it will be up to Asamoah to decide which country to play for."

Asamoah, 21, has lived in Germany since the age of 12. Last year, the Ghana-born striker started pursuing German citizenship after he was twice dropped from the Ghana team.