Young striker Jerry Afriyie had a debut to remember for the Black Stars, scoring a stunning equalizer, but Ghana fell to a 2-1 defeat after conceding a stoppage-time goal to Niger in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
The 17-year-old, who plays for third-tier club Thoughts FC, came off the bench to cancel out Niger’s opener with a brilliant strike at the Accra Sports Stadium. His goal showcased his exceptional talent and justified his late call-up to the national team.
However, Mohammed Kudus missed a crucial late penalty that could have rescued a point for Ghana. Moments later, Niger capitalized on Ghana’s defensive lapses to net the winner, sealing the Black Stars’ dismal campaign.
Afriyie’s performance was a rare bright spot in an otherwise disappointing outing. His goal caps a remarkable year, following his golden boot-winning display at the WAFU B Championship and a gold medal with Ghana’s U-20 team at the African Games in March.
Despite Ghana finishing at the bottom of Group F with only three goals in six qualifiers, Afriyie’s emergence offers hope for the future. Even under mounting scrutiny, Coach Otto Addo couldn’t contain his excitement, breaking protocol to celebrate the teenager’s debut goal—a testament to the promise he brings to the team.
The Black Stars now face a rebuilding process as they come to terms with missing out on the AFCON for the first time in two decades. Amid the gloom, Jerry Afriyie’s memorable debut provides a glimmer of optimism.
