AJ Auxerre defender Marvin Senaya faces a career-defining decision after being named in both the Ghana and Togo squads for the upcoming international break.
The 25-year-old full-back, who has been in fine form in Ligue 1, described his initial call-up to Ghana’s Black Stars as a moment of “pride and joy”.
However, that joy has been met with a diplomatic headache, as Togo also laid claim to his services.
Ghana coach Otto Addo included Senaya in his latest selection for high-profile friendlies against Austria and Germany.
The move is widely seen as an attempt to solve the Black Stars’ long-standing issues at right-back, providing much-needed depth and top-flight experience.
The situation took a turn when Togo head coach Patrice Neveu named Senaya in his squad to face Guinea and Niger.
Neveu has gone public with his frustration, insisting the defender had already given a verbal “yes” to represent the Sparrowhawks.
“A lot of pride and joy,” was Senaya’s succinct reaction to the news, though he has yet to publicly clarify which camp he will report to.
For Ghana, securing Senaya represents a strategic win. The national team has struggled for consistency in defensive wide areas, and a French-based starter offers an immediate upgrade.
For Togo, losing a player of Senaya’s calibre to their neighbours would be a significant blow to Neveu’s rebuilding project.
Under FIFA rules, since these are friendly fixtures, a final decision may not legally bind him forever.
However, his physical presence next week will signal where his heart—and his international future—truly lies.
As the West African rivals wait, the eyes of fans in both nations remain firmly on the Auxerre man.
