'You will never regret it' - Semenyo's mother advocates for diaspora talent to represent Ghana

Antoine Semenyo’s mother, Dela Dzebu, has passionately encouraged Ghanaian parents in the diaspora to support their children in choosing to represent Ghana at the international level, describing it as a matter of “pride, blood and legacy.”

Speaking at an engagement with diaspora families, Dzebu reflected on the emotional journey behind her son’s decision to play for Ghana despite being raised in England.

“I tell you all, I don’t even have words because it’s been a very, very long journey, but it’s been amazing as well,” she said. “I’m here today to tell you parents, it is possible. If Antoine has done it, it is very possible.”

The mother of the Black Stars winger admitted the process was not easy, especially for families raising children abroad amid competing cultural identities and national loyalties.

“The kids we raised here are conflicted because there are two nationalities and different cultures as well,” she explained.

“As a parent, you don’t want to come across as pushy. You want to encourage them because they don’t see the side you know about.”

Dzebu revealed that Semenyo once asked why he should represent Ghana, given that challenges in the country are often highlighted.

“I remember very well when Antoine asked us, ‘Mom, do I play for England or do I play for Ghana?’ I said he had to play for Ghana and he asked, ‘But why?’”

“At that moment I said, ‘In Ghana, nothing works,’ and he replied, ‘If nothing works, why do I have to play for Ghana?’”

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She said she eventually explained to him that representing Ghana went beyond football itself.

“Football in Ghana is about blood. It’s about pride. It’s about legacy. It’s about your roots,” she stressed.

Dzebu added that the feeling of seeing her son wear the Ghana jersey for the first time was indescribable.

“What you feel when he wears his jersey for the first time, and the crowds are roaring, you cannot describe it in words, but I can tell you it’s amazing.”

PAH/JE

🎥 🇬🇭 “Football in Ghana is about pride; it’s about blood, it’s about legacy.”

“It is very, very possible if Antoine has done it.”🥹

Antoine Semenyo’s mother, Dela Dzebu, urges other diaspora parents to encourage their children to play for Ghana.#CitiSports pic.twitter.com/HBaS3yAKko

— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) May 27, 2026