Caleb Yirenkyi has expressed his delight after earning widespread praise for his composed performance during Ghana’s 2-1 defeat to Nigeria in the semifinals of the 2025 Unity Cup in London, describing the occasion as a significant step in his football journey.
The 19-year-old made his senior debut for the Black Stars after coming on as a halftime substitute, filling in at right-back despite being a natural midfielder. His mature display quickly caught attention, helping Ghana stabilise after a shaky first half.
“I think it was a good opportunity for me to help, do my best for the team, and this was the main goal. I had a lot of praise, and I am happy with that,” Yirenkyi told 3Sports following the game.
Though operating outside his usual position, the FC Nordsjaelland youngster impressed with his intelligent positioning, calmness under pressure, and accurate distribution. His presence brought structure to Ghana’s play and was instrumental in the team’s second-half improvement.
Yirenkyi’s timely interceptions and confident passing helped Ghana mount a stronger push after trailing by two goals, eventually pulling one back through Brandon Thomas-Asante.
A graduate of the Right to Dream Academy, Yirenkyi is expected to feature again when Ghana takes on Trinidad and Tobago in the third-place playoff on Saturday, June 1.
Despite the result, his performance stands out as a major positive for Otto Addo’s team and a promising glimpse into Ghana’s future midfield options.
