Ghana U-20 coach Desmond Ofei backs rising star Jerry Afriyie for move to top European club

Desmond Ofei, head coach of Ghana’s U20 team, has expressed confidence that his star forward, Jerry Afriyie, is on the path to securing a spot with a leading European club following his stellar performance at the 2024 WAFU B U20 Championship in Togo.

Afriyie, a forward for Thoughts FC, made a significant impact at the tournament, winning both the Best Player and Top Scorer awards.

Afriyie played a crucial role in the Black Satellites’ journey to the final, scoring five goals in five matches and helping the team qualify for the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations.

His standout performances included a brace in the opening game against Benin, a goal in the final group match against Togo, and a late strike in the final against Nigeria.

Coach Ofei praised Afriyie’s dedication and scoring ability, noting the young forward’s potential to excel at the highest level.

“Jerry is a very hungry and down-to-earth player with a natural talent for scoring goals,” Ofei commented.

“His future looks incredibly bright, and the next step for him would ideally be to join a European club where he can further develop and, perhaps, earn a spot with the Black Stars.”

Afriyie has consistently demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess, having also scored the decisive goal to secure gold for the Black Satellites at the 2023 African Games.

His skill, work ethic, and composure make him a strong candidate for success on the international stage.