Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro Prioritizes U21 Commitment Over Ghana National Team
Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro, a Dutch-Ghanaian goalkeeper, has ruled out representing the Ghana national team, focusing instead on his role with the Netherlands U21 team. He recently faced Tottenham Hotspur in a challenging match and expressed admiration for notable Ghanaian players while emphasizing his current priorities.
Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro, a Dutch-born goalkeeper of Ghanaian descent, has clarified that he is not considering representing the Black Stars at this time. At just 20 years old, Owusu-Oduro remains focused on his current career with the Netherlands U21 squad.
The young goalkeeper recently faced a challenging match against Tottenham Hotspur in the Round of 16, where AZ Alkmaar suffered a 3-1 defeat, leading to their exit from the competition. Despite this setback, he participated in an interview with Ghanaian journalist Rahman Osman, where he reiterated his stance on international play.
He stated, “Not now. I have to focus on playing with the U21 (Netherlands) so we can qualify for the European Championship. My focus is here. I see it as a possibility in the future, but it’s not my priority.” This decision aligns with his aspirations within the Netherlands national team.
Owusu-Oduro also mentioned his respect for notable Ghanaian players such as Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew, and leading scorer Asamoah Gyan, stating, “I watched the Ayew brothers, Asamoah Gyan, and a few other players with my dad.” He has made 19 appearances this season in the Dutch Eredivisie and has kept two clean sheets in his last five matches.
In conclusion, Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro is prioritizing his commitments with the Netherlands U21 team over potential representation of Ghana’s national team. He acknowledges the possibility of playing for Ghana in the future, yet remains focused on his current goals. Owusu-Oduro’s admiration for prominent Ghanaian footballers highlights his ties to his heritage, despite his immediate focus within Dutch football.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
