At the glittering 2025 Ghana Football Awards held at the Accra International Conference Centre, one young man stole the spotlight — Jerry Afriyie. The rising star was named the winner of the coveted Odartey Lamptey Future Star Award, a title reserved for Ghana’s most promising young footballer.

Afriyie’s journey over the past year has been nothing short of inspirational. After a breakout stint with Ghana’s Thoughts FC, he secured a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah. Not long after, he was loaned to Spanish second-division club CD Lugo, where he continued to impress with his attacking flair and work ethic.

His performances were further elevated during the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where he stood out as one of Ghana’s brightest prospects with the Black Satellites. These achievements marked him as a player on a steep upward trajectory — a sentiment now reflected in this prestigious award.

The Odartey Lamptey Future Star Award has a history of spotlighting talents destined for greatness. Afriyie follows in the footsteps of past winners like Ernest Nuamah (2023) and Abdul Aziz Issah (2024), both of whom have since made significant strides in their professional careers.

Despite stiff competition from other emerging talents, it was Afriyie’s consistent development, international exposure, and impact across competitions that earned him this honour. His win is not just a recognition of what he has accomplished, but a bold statement of what’s to come.

Ghana may just be witnessing the rise of its next football sensation.