Daniel Adu-Adjei, a 21-year-old English-born forward, has made a compelling case for a Black Stars call-up after a remarkable performance in HNK Rijeka's 3-0 victory over Hajduk Split in the Croatian top flight on September 20, 2026. Adu-Adjei was directly involved in all three goals, scoring one and setting up two others, showcasing his skills and reigniting discussions about his international future with Ghana.
Adu-Adjei's impressive display began in the 32nd minute when he played in Portuguese midfielder Tiago Dantas, who finished calmly to break the deadlock. He then turned provider again just before half-time, teeing up Italian midfielder Samuele Vignato to double the lead. Adu-Adjei completed the rout himself shortly after the restart, scoring before the hour mark and taking his tally for the campaign to four goals and three assists.
This productive start to the season marks one of the most impressive by a Ghana-eligible player currently playing in Europe. According to reports, Adu-Adjei achieved this in six or seven league matches, with some sources citing Transfermarkt figures. His eligibility for the Black Stars stems from his Ghanaian parents, despite being born and raised in England.
Adu-Adjei has previously expressed his interest in playing for Ghana, stating in 2025 that it would be an honour to represent the country his parents come from. However, he was left out of Carlos Queiroz's recent 24-man squad for Ghana's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Queiroz are continually shaping the Black Stars squad ahead of the qualifiers.
Adu-Adjei's emergence adds another attacking option to a growing pool of European-based, foreign-born players eyeing the Black Stars. This development intensifies competition for forward positions, with another English-born striker, Eddie Nketiah, also reportedly close to switching allegiance to Ghana. The GFA and Queiroz have not commented publicly on Adu-Adjei's case since the squad announcement that excluded him.
The recent squad announcement saw World Cup hero Thomas-Asante dropped, while Queiroz preached caution. The returns of Kudus and Djiku for the Ivory Coast clash provided a boost to the team. As the Black Stars prepare for the qualifiers, the team is taking shape under Queiroz's guidance.
No date has been given for when Adu-Adjei might be considered for a future squad. His performance against Hajduk Split has made him difficult for Ghanaian football selectors to ignore, and his case will likely continue to be monitored closely by the GFA and Queiroz as they prepare for upcoming matches.
Key points
- Daniel Adu-Adjei's impressive performance in the Croatian top flight has reignited discussions about his potential call-up to the Black Stars.
- Adu-Adjei's eligibility for the Black Stars comes through his Ghanaian parents, despite being born in England.
- The competition for forward positions in the Black Stars is intensifying with the emergence of European-based, foreign-born players.
