Otto Addo Backs Felix Afena-Gyan to Shine After Black Stars Recall for Unity Cup

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has expressed confidence in Felix Afena-Gyan’s ability to make an impact after recalling the young forward for Ghana’s Unity Cup campaign in London.

The Juventus Next Gen striker has been handed a return to the senior national team for the first time since 2022, earning a spot in the 23-man squad for the four-nation tournament involving Nigeria, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Afena-Gyan, who had an early breakthrough with AS Roma, has seen his career take a less prominent trajectory in recent seasons, but Addo believes the 21-year-old still has much to offer.

“There are a lot of young players, and he’s also young… he did well, and that’s why we want to give him another chance; he’s still young,” Addo told the media ahead of the Black Stars’ opening match against Nigeria.

The Ghana coach acknowledged the challenges Afena-Gyan has faced in recent years but stressed that setbacks are a natural part of a footballer’s development.

“His career hasn’t been like he expected it to be, but this is normal in football. Sometimes you have ups and sometimes you have downs, and for him, it’s another opportunity for him to show himself,” he added.

Afena-Gyan has scored six goals in 30 appearances for Juventus Next Gen in Italy’s Serie C this season. His invitation to the Black Stars comes at a time when head coach Addo is using the Unity Cup as a platform to assess emerging talent and give fringe players an opportunity to stake their claim ahead of September’s World Cup qualifiers.

The forward is expected to join the national team camp in London today as the Black Stars intensify preparations for their semifinal clash with Nigeria on Wednesday, May 28, at the Gtech Community Stadium.

The winner of that encounter will advance to the final on Saturday, May 31, to face either Jamaica or Trinidad and Tobago, while the losing side will contest the third-place playoff.