Ghana head coach Otto Addo has expressed his satisfaction with the performance of Black Stars debutant Jonas Adjei Adjetey during training sessions ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The 20-year-old Basel center-back was called up to replace Fenerbahce defender Alexander Djiku, who sustained an injury just days before the international break.
Adjetey, who has been training with the national team, has impressed the technical staff as Ghana prepares for crucial qualifiers against Angola and Niger. The Black Stars will face the Palancas Negras of Angola at the Baba Yara Stadium on Thursday, September 5, 2024, before traveling to Berkane, Morocco, for their second Group F match against Niger on September 9.
Speaking about the young defender, Addo shared his thoughts on why Adjetey was included in the squad. “Jonas had an extremely good season last year, especially the last six months at Basel, and he’s started very well in Europe this season. We also have players in local leagues who are close to the national team, and Jonas is one of them,” Addo said.
He continued, “He is very good at winning duels, fast, has good height, and is excellent in one-on-one defensive situations. He had some outstanding games at Basel, and in the end, we decided he was the right fit. At 20 years old, he’s a project for the future, and we’re delighted to have him in the squad. His performances in training have been very encouraging.”
Ghana is determined to begin the AFCON qualifiers on a strong note, aiming to secure a spot in Africa’s premier football tournament. The Black Stars cannot afford to drop points, especially after Sudan’s 1-0 victory over Niger in their opening Group F fixture, which puts them at the top of the group.
Ghana will need to capitalize on home advantage at the Baba Yara Stadium before turning their focus to the challenging away match against Niger.
