KRC Genk striker Jerry Afriyie has received a late invitation to join the Ghana senior national team ahead of the Black Stars’ opening matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The Belgian club confirmed on Tuesday, September 22, that the 19-year-old forward has been called up by head coach Carlos Queiroz for the September international window.
Afriyie’s invitation comes at a time when the Black Stars are dealing with several player withdrawals and injury concerns, forcing the technical team to make changes to the squad originally selected for the upcoming matches.
The young striker has earned his opportunity after making an impression since his move to Europe from Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah.
His progress at Genk has attracted the attention of the Ghana technical team, with Queiroz now turning to the former Ghana Under-20 forward as he looks to strengthen his attacking options.
Afriyie is not completely new to the senior national team. He has already represented Ghana at senior level and has also found the net for the Black Stars, giving him some experience of international football despite his young age.
His late call-up is therefore not simply an attempt to fill a vacant position. It also gives the technical team an opportunity to assess a young forward who has already demonstrated his potential at different levels of Ghanaian football.
The timing of the invitation is particularly significant because Ghana has lost several players ahead of the opening AFCON qualifiers.
Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Nathaniel Adjei and Prince Kwabena Adu are among the players who have become unavailable, while there are also injury concerns surrounding other members of the squad.
The absence of established attacking options has increased the need for additional firepower, making Afriyie’s inclusion particularly important.
Queiroz will hope that the youngster can bring energy, movement and a willingness to attack defenders to the Black Stars’ forward line.
The striker’s ability to play with confidence will be tested immediately, however, as Ghana faces a difficult opening assignment away from home.
The Black Stars will travel to Bouaké on September 24 to face Côte d’Ivoire in their first Group C qualifying match for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The encounter is expected to provide a demanding test for Ghana, with both teams looking to make a strong start to the qualifying campaign.
After the trip to Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana will return home to Accra to face The Gambia on September 29.
The Black Stars will then travel to Tangier, Morocco, where they are scheduled to play a friendly against Morocco on October 4.
The busy schedule means Afriyie could have an opportunity to work closely with the senior team over a number of matches and training sessions.
For a 19-year-old who is still establishing himself in European football, the experience could be important for his development.
Afriyie’s journey to the senior national team has also been closely followed since his emergence through Ghana’s youth football system.
His previous involvement with the national Under-20 setup gave him an early platform to demonstrate his qualities, while his move to Europe has provided another stage on which to develop his game.
The forward will now have to compete with more experienced attackers for playing time in the Black Stars.
However, his late arrival also means he will have little time to settle into the team before the first qualifier against Côte d’Ivoire.
That situation could make the next few days particularly important for both the player and the coaching staff.
Queiroz will need to determine how best to use Afriyie within the tactical system, whether as a central striker, a supporting forward or another attacking option depending on the demands of the match.
The young striker’s inclusion also reflects the need for Ghana to develop a deeper pool of attacking talent.
The Black Stars cannot always rely on the same group of established players, particularly during international windows when injuries, suspensions, club commitments and other circumstances can affect squad availability.
Afriyie’s call-up therefore provides an opportunity for Ghana to assess another young attacking option while dealing with the immediate challenges facing the team.
The Genk striker will now join a squad under pressure to deliver positive results at the beginning of the AFCON qualification campaign.
Ghana’s supporters will be hoping that the young forward can take advantage of the opportunity and make a meaningful contribution whenever he is called upon.
For Afriyie himself, the call-up represents another important step in his football career and an opportunity to establish himself more firmly within the senior national team setup.
The Black Stars’ technical team will now turn its attention to integrating the youngster into the squad as preparations continue for the crucial matches against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.
With Ghana facing a series of late squad changes, Jerry Afriyie’s arrival provides Queiroz with another attacking option and gives one of the country’s emerging forwards the chance to make his mark on the international stage.
