Tough choice for Tchani

Crew SC midfielder Tony Tchani is in the mix to play for Cameroon in a pair of African Cup of Nations qualifier later this month, and he may soon have a tough decision to make.

Tchani today was named to what appears to be a 30-man provisional roster for games against South Africa on March 26 (Limbe) and March 29 (Durban). As of late morning, Tchani had not heard anything from the Cameroon federation. As of this afternoon, neither had the Crew.

Though Tchani has yet to play a game for Cameroon, where he was born, it is clear the naturalized U.S. citizen is considered part of that nation’s player pool. He also took a dip in the U.S. pool last month, when he was called into the U.S. team’s annual January camp and made his U.S. debut in a friendly against Iceland on Jan. 31.

At some point, Tchani will have to choose which nation he will represent. Because his U.S. appearance came in a friendly, it did not tie him to the American team. But as soon as he plays a meaningful game for either nation, he will be “cap-tied” to that country and ineligible to play for the other.

“It’s a lot to think about, but right now my focus is on Columbus Crew SC,” Tchani said this morning.

“I mean, our season is just starting. We have a game against (Philadelphia on Saturday). I have no timeline to decide. I have a few more days, maybe a week to think about it. Right now, my focus is on Philly.”

Tchani was called by Cameroon during the MLS Cup playoffs in November and could have made his international debut then had he not passed on the invitation because of a lingering hamstring strain.

“This is a lot for him,” Crew SC coach Gregg Berhalter said of Tchani’s international situation. “You’re thinking about your home country vs. your home country. It’s not easy. But I’ll support what he feels is in his best interest. I played for the U.S. team and my allegiance is to the U.S. team But in this case, it’s the player’s preference.”

If Tchani is called in and travels to Africa later this month he is not expected to miss any MLS games. The Crew is off from March 20 to April 1. The United States will play host to Guatemala in a World Cup qualifier in Mapfre Stadium on March 29.