Head coach of the Black Stars, Milovan Rajevac says he and the technical team of the senior national team expect AS Roma teenage forward, Felix Afena-Gyan to honor his Black Stars invitation for AFCON 2021.

The 18-year old has been named in Ghana's 30-man provisional squad for the continental tournament expected to kickoff on January 9.

Afena-Gyan received an earlier invitation from the Black Stars ahead of the final round of World Cup qualifying group stage games, but the teenager turned down the invitation citing a desire to continue his development under Jose Mourinho at AS Roma.

“I thought it was important for me to stay in Trigoria to accumulate training under Mourinho’s orders to continue improving and growing,” Afena said.

Marcel Veerman, a football scout speaking with JoySports at the time, shared same sentiments with the AS Roma forward, indicating he prefers Afena-Gyan prioritizes his development with AS Roma over joining the Black Stars for AFCON.

“He just came and I know this player needs to stay for January when Ghana goes to the African Cup. For me in my opinion, it is better he stays in AS Roma, he gets time to play and builds up his career. When he goes to the Africa Cup, he needs to play, he needs to have minutes. But this tournament Ghana have so many good players, so many experienced players who can play now. So he [Afena-Gyan] needs playing time.

“He is young [and] will get his time in the national team but now he must think to build up his career because he’s played only 15 minutes, and scored two goals, yes but he needs to play 90 minutes and from my experience, it is best he stays at Roma for this African Cup,” Veerman said to JoySports in an interview.

However Milo and his assistants hold different viewpoints and want the teenager as a part of their squad for Cameroon.

"Felix Afena-Gyan is on the list because he's showing potential and he's trying to establish himself in his club and we want to have him here, so we will see what is going to happen. This is a chance for him to get to know the others, to understand the requirements and become the part of the Black Stars so he is on the list. We expect him to come."

Ghana is expected to submit a final list of players to CAF by December 30.