Ghana’s Rising Star Jerry Afriyie Gains Momentum Towards a European Dream

Ghana U20 coach Desmond Ofei has expressed high hopes for his standout striker, Jerry Afriyie, whose outstanding performance at the 2024 WAFU B U20 Championship has positioned him as one of West Africa’s most promising young talents. Ofei is optimistic that Afriyie will soon secure a move to a top European club, a fitting next step after his prolific campaign in Togo.

Afriyie dominated the tournament, finishing as both the Best Player and Top Scorer. The Thoughts FC striker was a driving force behind Ghana’s impressive run to the final, securing their qualification for the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations. With five goals in five games, Afriyie delivered crucial moments, including a brace in the opener against Benin and a vital goal against Togo in the final group match. He capped his performance with a consolation goal in the final, where Ghana fell just short to Nigeria.

Ofei, visibly proud of the young forward, emphasized Afriyie’s determination and down-to-earth character. “With Jerry, we’re really happy because he’s a very hungry lad, down to earth, and you know, he’s a goal scorer, so I’m really happy for him,” Ofei shared. “His future looks very, very bright, and it’s up to him to take the next step, hopefully to Europe, to join a good team where he can play and hopefully get an opportunity with the Black Stars.”

Afriyie’s achievements have been building over the past year. Earlier, he was key to the Black Satellites’ gold medal victory at the 2023 African Games, where he netted the decisive goal to secure the title. With growing accolades, the young forward now seems poised for a shot at European football—a dream that could soon become a reality if his rising form continues.