New Black Stars defender Nathaniel Adjei, reflecting on his first senior Ghana call-up, credited his participation in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations with the Black Satellites as a pivotal moment that opened doors for him.
Adjei, who was just 16 years old at the time, was a member of Karim Zito’s squad that competed in the U20 AFCON held in Mauritania.
Despite his youth, Adjei played a significant role in the tournament, featuring in all three group stage matches before an injury sidelined him for the knockout stage.
The Black Satellites went on to clinch the championship by defeating Uganda 2-0 in the final, a victory that Adjei believes altered the course of his career.
Speaking to 3 Sports on his first Black Stars call-up, the Lorient defender said winning the U20 AFCON was instrumental in his rise.
“I’ve played in the U17, U20, and U23 but winning the AFCON was the biggest step for me in my career. It’s not easy to go into a tournament and win the ultimate.
"That year we had the opportunity to win and it opened a lot of doors for me. I had a couple of offers outside and then in the end I ended up in France. That tournament improved my career."
However, it is being reported that he is unlikely to report for the friendlies.