Ghanaian Gospel musician, Sonnie Badu has congratulated 'his son' Daniel Afriyie Barnieh for making Ghana's final 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Afriyie Barnieh has been rewarded a call-up following his exploits in the Ghana Premier League with Hearts of Oak.
The 21-year-old was instrumental for Hearts as they retained their MTN FA Cup title by scoring in the final last season.
"Congratulations my son you deserve the call up to play for Ghana at the world cup. Remember, what I have told you. I am proud of you @afriyiebdaniel #ItsPurple” Sonnie Badu wrote on his Instagram page.
He has been part of the Black Stars squad under Otto Addo since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Mozambique and Central African Republic. He made his debut for the West African nation in an international friendly against Japan.
He has represented Ghana at the U-20 and U-23 level and currently a member of the Black Galaxies team.
Afriyie Barnieh also made a cameo appearance for Ghana in a 1-0 win over Nicaragua last month.
Black Stars. who are the lowest-ranked team at the tournament have been drawn in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.
Ghana will take on Portugal in their first game on November 24 before playing South Korea and Uruguay on November 28 and December 2 respectively.
Black Stars held their first training session on Tuesday evening in Abu Dhabi ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 finals.
25 players were put through their paces by coach Otto Addo including Alexander Djiku and Kamal Deen Sulemana who arrived earlier on Tuesday to join the rest of the team.
The players include, Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Danlad Ibrahim, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Nurudeen Abdul Manaf, Mohammed Salisu, Daniel Amartey, Denis Odoi, Baba Abdul Rahman, Gideon Mensah, Alidu Seidu, Salis Abdul Samed, Elisha Owusu, Kamal Sowah, Antoine Semenyo, Tariq Lamptey, Osman Bukari, Thomas Partey, Inaki Williams, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Daniel Barnieh Afriyie, Mohammed Kudus, Daniel Kofi Kyereh, Alexander Djiku and Kamal Deen Sulemana.
The team will stay in the capital of the United Arab Emirates for four days where they will play an International friendly against Switzerland at the Baniyas club stadium on Thursday, November 17, 2022.
Ghana secured a 4th FIFA World Cup tournament having participated in 2006, 2010, and 2014 in Germany, South Africa, and Brazil after drawing 1-1 against Nigeria in the return leg of the final play-offs at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja to seal qualification on the away goals rule.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup takes place between November 20 and December 18, 2022.
Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.
Ghana will be hoping to progress from the group stage at this year's tournament.