Manu waiting for Ghana debut

Dutch-born Brighton and Hove Albion striker Elvis Manu says he expects to join Ghana national team soon.

The 22-year-old striker has officially filed a nationality switch application to Fifa in order to play for the country where his parents hail from, having represented the Netherlands at various youth levels.

“I spoke with the Ghana coach and he said when my papers are through he will give me a call so I’m waiting,” Manu told theArgus.co.uk.

“It should be soon. I don’t know when.”

Having played 27 matches and scored seven times for Dutch topflight Feyenoord in the 2014-15 season, Manu joined English championship outfit Brighton last August on a three-year contract, when many expected him to move to a top European team.

“Being here is a good move,” Manu said.

“If you compare the Dutch league to the Championship, you can’t say the Dutch is better. The Championship is harder, more physical, more pace, more strength.

“I don’t feel like it is a step backwards for me.”

On Saturday, Manu made his debut for the Seagulls, coming on as a 46th minutes substitute for Israeli attacker Tomer Hemed as Chris Hughton’s side settled for a 0-0 stalemate with Wolves at the Molineux Stadium.

Manu has represented the Netherlands at U16, 17, 19, 20 and 21 levels, before deciding to switch his international allegiance to the west African side, and was in the stands as Ghana thrashed Mauritius 7-1 in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier last June at the Accra Sports Stadium.