Jerry Afriyie has officially left the Black Satellites camp at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to rejoin his club, CD Lugo, in Spain, following a pre-arranged agreement between the Ghana Football Association and the Spanish third tier side.
The striker was released by Lugo to play only the first two group matches for Ghana at the U20 AFCON in Egypt, facing DR Congo and Senegal.
The club, which has been keen to retain his services due to the ongoing Spanish football season, confirmed that he would return to Spain on May 7, missing Ghana’s final group game against the Central African Republic and any potential knockout stage fixtures.
“After expressing his desire to be part of his country’s squad, the club has authorized the Albivermello forward to travel to Egypt to join his national team’s training camp,” CD Lugo stated.
“Jerry will participate in the first two group stage matches of the U-20 continental tournament…The Ghanaian player will return to Lugo on May 7”.
The 18-year-old came on for 33 minutes in the first group game against DR Congo and then started against Senegal, assisting the only goal of the game.
His early departure is a blow for Ghana, who are aiming for a fifth U20 AFCON title and a place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
The striker has been a standout performer for Ghana’s youth sides, helping the Black Satellites qualify for the AFCON by finishing as runners-up at the WAFU B Championship, where he won both the Golden Boot and Best Player awards.
He also scored the decisive goal in Ghana’s gold medal win at the 2024 African Games.
Afriyie’s rapid rise has seen him already make his senior debut for the Black Stars, scoring in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger and earning a loan move to Lugo from Saudi Arabian side Al Qadsiah earlier this year.
Since joining Lugo, he has scored two goals in seven games as they aim to avoid relegation in Spain’s third division.
The Black Satellites will begin life without their talisman Afriyie when they play their final group game against Central Africa on May 8.
