KRC Genk have confirmed that 19-year-old forward Jerry Afriyie has been handed a late call-up to Ghana's Black Stars squad ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. This development follows the withdrawal of Antoine Semenyo from Carlos Queiroz's group. Semenyo's unavailability created a vacancy in Ghana's attacking options, prompting the coaching staff to turn to the teenage Genk forward as a replacement.
Jerry Afriyie is one of the highly rated youngsters in the Ghanaian football landscape. He has previously excelled with the Black Satellites – Ghana's Under-20 side. Afriyie moved overseas to Al Qadsiah, where he was shipped out on loan to CD Lugo. He then joined RAAL La Louvière last season before completing a permanent switch to the Belgian Pro League, penning a five-year contract with Genk.
The 19-year-old is a pacey, explosive attacker with the ability to make runs in behind defensive lines. He has versatility across the forward positions, able to operate on either flank, through the centre or in a support striker role. According to Transfermarkt, the teenager has made three appearances for Genk since arriving, all from the bench, registering one assist.
Afriyie's path to the Black Stars is not new, as he has previously played and scored for the team after coming through Ghana's national youth setup. This experience may ease his transition into a qualifying campaign of considerable significance. With Semenyo ruled out, Afriyie arrives in the squad as a viable option for Queiroz, who will need firepower available as Ghana bids to make a strong start to their AFCON qualifying push.
Ghana opens its Group C qualifying campaign against Côte d'Ivoire on September 24 before facing The Gambia five days later. The team has suffered several withdrawals, including Mohammed Kudus and Semenyo. In another development, Baba Rahman has withdrawn from the Black Stars squad ahead of Ghana’s 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign, becoming the fourth player to pull out of Carlos Queiroz’s original 24-man squad.
Carlos Queiroz has added nine players to the Ghana squad following the withdrawals of several key faces. The team will need to assemble a strong lineup to navigate the qualifying campaign. Afriyie's inclusion provides Queiroz with additional options as he prepares the team for the upcoming matches.
Jerry Afriyie's call-up to the Black Stars squad marks a significant opportunity for the young player to contribute to the team's success. His performance in the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining the team's chances in the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign. Ghana's football fans will be eagerly watching his progress as the team takes on Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia.
Key points
- Jerry Afriyie, a 19-year-old forward, has been called up to Ghana's Black Stars squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifying fixtures.
