Ghana U-20 star Jerry Afriyie
Ghana U-20 star, Jerry Afriyie, is set to be named in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar in March.
A report by ghanasoccernet claims that the 18-year-old is in line to play a significant role for the Black Stars after he won over coach Otto Addo and his backroom staff in his debut showing for the senior national team.
Afriyie, who is on the roster of Sunyani-based lower division side, Thoughts FC, is expected to be included in Otto Addo’s final squad for the crucial qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar in March, GHANAsoccernet.com can reveal.
The Ghanaian gaffer is a huge admirer of the talented U20 star and has already firmed him up in his plans for the must-win games in two months.
Otto has told close associates about deploying the youngster in a prominent role in the World Cup qualifiers after being overly convinced about his immense qualities.
It appears it won’t be business as usual for Ghana’s top stars in Europe as they will have to fight for a position in the team for the crunch qualifiers against the two nations.
While there could be a pushback from some quarters, Otto Addo is convinced Jerry Afriyie could play a significant role for his team with the right mentality, focus and management.
Afriyie scored on his Black Stars debut in their 1-1 stalemate against Niger at home as the team failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
His goal capped off an impressive 2024 for the teenager, following his golden boot-winning performance at the WAFU B Championship and a gold medal with the U-20 team at the African Games in March.
He was also a member of the Black Galaxies team that fell to Nigeria in the qualifying round of the CHAN tournament later this year.
Ghana resume the qualifiers for the World Cup in March with pivotal games against Chad at home and Madagascar away.
Otto Addo’s team cannot afford to slip following an abysmal showing in the last 12 months, culminating in the country’s inability to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
