HARARE - Kaizer Chiefs forward Matthew Rusike faces a tough decision as he weighs up whether to commit his international future to Zimbabwe or South Africa, it emerged yesterday.

The 22-year-old midfield-cum-striker, who was born and raised in Harare, has a Zimbabwean father and a South African mother, but has represented his country of birth at youth international level.

The former St Georges College student featured for the Zimbabwe Under-23 side which failed to qualify for last year’s All-Africa Games in Mozambique, showing some amazing glimpses of brilliance to be hailed as one of the country’s brightest prospects in the post-Asiagate/national team disbandment era.

But Zimbabwe might find it hard to retain the promising forward if Bafana coach Gordon Igesund come calling.

Fifa rules stipulate that players can change national teams as long as they haven’t played a competitive fixture for a country at full international level, so those Young Warriors appearances would not rule out the Amakhosi star switching allegiance to Zimbabwe’s neighbours and rivals.

Rusike, according to Soccerladuma, holds citizenship in both countries.

The in-form forward has been called up to the Zimbabwean national team for an international friendly against Botswana next month.

Rusike has made a bright start to his Kaizer Chiefs career after signing from Jomo Cosmos at the beginning of the season, teaming up at the Soweto giants with compatriots Lincoln Zvasiya, Willard Katsande and Kingstone Nkhata.