'The call up was too early for me' - Afena Gyan speaks on why he turned down Black Stars call up for 2022 WCQ final games

AS Roma forward, Felix Afena-Gyan has finally opened up on why he rejected a call up to play for the Black Stars in the final round of games of the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

The promising striker was named in Milovan Rajevac's 28 man squad for the games against Ethiopia and South Africa.

However, Afena Gyan failed to show up for the games which sparked media debate.

According to his handlers, the youngster was not ready for the national team and must focus on his development under Jose Mourinho at the club level.

Speaking in an interview with Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, the striker said he didn’t feel the time was right to wear the national team jersey.

“I felt it was too early for me to answer the call from the national team because I need to grow, physically but also mentally and psychologically," the 18-year-old revealed.

“I also thought it was important for me to stay in Trigoria to accumulate training under [Jose] Mourinho’s orders, to continue improving and growing.

The Ghanaian also added that despite not responding to the call-up, he hopes to be a part of the team in the coming years.

“I have a lot of respect for my national team and I hope to be part of it in the future. The coach asked me if I would go and I told him I didn’t feel ready yet. But it was my decision. I thought it was premature for me to take such a step,” he concluded.

Ghana was held to a 1-1 draw against Ethiopia before beating Ethiopia to top Group G to book a place in the playoffs.