The Ghana Football Association appears to be losing the battle to woo Italy-born football sensation Mario Barwuah to play for the senior national team, the Black Stars.

The 17 year old striker is said to have told the FA in a letter that he is not interested in playing for Ghana.

But Black Stars head coach, Claude Leroy says he will be speaking to the lad personally to convince him why it would be worth his while to play for the Black Stars.

Joy Sports sources at the Ghana Football Association say the FA is currently in a meeting to consider going to FIFA for a resolution of the matter.

But BBC's Ibrahim Sanni Darra who has been following the story says even though the FA has a good case, they must brace themselves for a long drawn battle.

Barwuah has Ghanaian parentage, but has been the adopted son of an Italian couple since childhood.