Ghana U20 star Jerry Afriyie handed maiden Black Stars invite, replaces injured Jordan Ayew

By Lukman MUMIN, Accra

Black Satellites forward Jerry Afriyie has received his first-ever Black Stars invite after coach Otto Addo named him as a replacement for the injured Jordan Ayew.

Afriyie was invited alongside Ghana Premier League stars Kamaradini Mamudu and Ebenezer Abban following the withdrawals of four players from the team that played Angola last Friday.

Alidu Seidu of Stade Rennais, Auxerre’s Gideon Mensah and Fatawu Issahaku joined Ayew as players who have been ruled out for Monday’s game.

With nothing at stake for the Black Stars following their failure to qualify for the tournament in Morocco, Otto Addo could use the opportunity to test new players, including Afriyie.

Afriyie won Gold at the 2024 African Games and was crowned the best player and top scorer of the WAFU Zone B U-20 Cup of Nations in Togo.

Meanwhile, Medeama SC’s right-back, Mamudu, has played 9 Ghana Premier League games (810 Minutes), scored 2 goals, and won one Man of the Match award.

Heart of Lions captain Ebenezer Abban has made 11 appearances (975 Minutes) in the ongoing Ghana Premier League campaign.

The Black Stars will host Niger on Monday at the Accra Sports Stadium as they wrap up a disastrous African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.