Aged just 18 years old, Daniel Barnieh Afriyie is is widely-regarded as one of, if not the finest young talent on the local scene.
Daniel’s combination of pace, dribbling, intelligence, work rate, finishing and link up play comes together to form the package of a complete, modern striker.
Afriyie shot to prominence when he gained a call up into Ghana U23 team to begin preparations ahead of the 2019 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
He featured in the preparations of the Black Meteors where he impressed the technical handlers but ultimately didn’t make cut.
Here is all you need to know about Hearts of Oak’s new Golden boy:
Daniel Afriyie was born on 26th June, 2001 in the Ashanti Region. Football has always been his destiny since infancy and it was clear even during his tender years. He joined Accra Hearts of Oak on transfer deadline day from second-tier club Madina Republicans.
He was also on the radar of Premier League giants Asante Kotoko before opting to sign with the Phobians.
Coincidentally, the youngster made his full debut against Kotoko in a highly contested Super Clash in Accra on match day 6.
Afriyie was a major positive despite the 2-1 defeat to the sworn enemy. He lasted the entire duration and proved himself worthy of the Rainbow Jersey on the biggest stage in Ghana’s club football.
There is plenty reason for optimism and excitement among the Hearts of Oak fan base and there is a general consensus that he could turn out to be a generational talent.
Early beginnings:
Afriyie featured for a number of colts clubs in the Ashanti Region where he ascended to a cult hero status. He started out at Amensie FC before moving to Celtic Academy in Kumasi. He joined his final colts club Valencia in 2015 before making the step up to the Second Division with Galaxy United where he played from 2016-2017.
He then secured a transfer to Thunder Bolt (second division) and featured for a short stint before switching to Madina Republicans.
Afriyie joined Burkina Faso top flight side Rahimo FC in January 2018 where helped the club win the league and secure qualification to the CAF Champions League.
Education
He attended Dunyan Nkwanta JHS in the Ahafo Ano South district, Mankranso in Ashanti Region.
Before proceeding to Aduman Senior high school in Kumasi.
Favorite club and idol:
Afriyie is a lifelong fan of English Premier League giants Manchester United and harbors dreams of playing at Old Trafford in future.
He grew up watching and idolizing legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo (Nazario De Lima). Fast and strong yet elegant and quick with his feet, Ronaldo was a defender’s nightmare and scored all kinds of goals throughout his career and Afriyie hopes to follow his hero’s footsteps.
Among the current crop, He mirrors his game with Manchester City and Argentina striker Sergio Aguero who he also considered an idol.
