He's not like Michael Essien or Dede Ayew - Saddick Adams urges patience for Jerry Afriyie

Ghanaian sports journalist and social activist, Saddick Adams, has praised Black Satellites striker Jerry Afriyie as a hugely talented player with the potential of becoming a world football star.

According to Saddick Adams, the 17-year-old has tremendous skills and has shown huge promise at a young age.

Sports Obama, as he is widely referred to, however, believes his development ought not to be rushed as the youngster still has some elements of his game to develop.

Obama believes that Jerry Afriyie must be allowed to follow the natural football developmental pattern of going through the youth teams before being transitioned into the Black Stars.

Obama holds that allowing Jerry Afriyie to go through the various youth teams is an effective way of developing his talent.

Speaking on GhanaWeb’s Sports Check program hosted by Emmanuel Enin, Obama said, “Jerry Afriyie will not break into the Ghana team. He is not like Kwadwo Asamoah, Andre Ayew, or Rabiu Mohammed. He is not like those players who have played at the top level to break into the Black Stars. He is a good player but not at that level yet.

Michael Essien and others had played at the African Cup and World Cup. Jerry hasn’t done that yet. He’s only played in WAFU. He needs to play and make a mark at the AFCON and repeat the same at the World Cup before we can transition him into the Black Stars.”

Jerry Afriyie has emerged as the most promising talent in the current Ghana U-20 team, assuming the role of a poster boy.

Afriyie is the face of the team due to his unmatched talent and great potential shown in the last two tournaments, the All African Games and WAFU Zone B.

The 17-year-old has been immense for the Satellites, leading them to win gold at the African Games and claim silver at the WAFU tournaments.

Astonishingly, he won the best player award at both tournaments while also emerging as the top scorer of the WAFU Championship.

He scored five goals in five games at the WAFU Championship to win the golden boot.

Watch the latest edition of Sports Check with Saddick Adams below:





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