Canada-born TJ Tahid has been named in Ghana’s squad for this month’s CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Vancouver FC striker impressed during his maiden call-up last month when he featured for the Black Satellites in the training tour of Morocco.
Tahid confirmed his invitation to the club’s website: “They called my dad. He’s from Ghana, so they called him directly, and he told me while I was getting ready to come to training that I gotta start learning the national anthem. It was a very proud moment for the two of us for sure.
“There’s a lot of excitement, but at the same time, I know I have to work. I have to earn my spot on the team, of course. It’s different from being at the club. I think the biggest thing for me is the preparation. Knowing I had that experience from the World Cup and taking that into the AFCON.”
In 2023, the 17-year-old played for Canada at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Indonesia, where he featured in all three Group matches.
He remains eligible to represent Canada at the senior level, as youth-level appearances do not count toward being cap-tied.
The Black Satellites have drawn D.R. Congo, The Central African Republic and Senegal in Group C.
A semi-final berth will secure qualification to the prestigious 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile from 27 September to 19 October.