Former Hearts of Oak striker, Charles Taylor, has shared his concerns about the future of Daniel Afriyie Barnieh’s football career. Taylor has urged the FC Zurich forward to take necessary steps to avoid following a similar path as former Black Satellite player Dominic Adiyiah, who failed to fulfill his potential despite early success.
Taylor highlighted Barnieh’s recent performances, emphasizing that the young forward has lost focus on the field. He believes that without proper guidance and the assistance of a good psychologist, Barnieh’s career could take a downward turn. Taylor compared the situation to that of Adiyiah, who won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot at the U-20 World Cup in 2009 but struggled to make a significant impact afterward.
Barnieh, who captained the Black Satellites to victory in the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in 2021, earned a call-up to the senior national team for the 2022 World Cup. However, his recent performances have been underwhelming, raising concerns about his progress and potential.
Taylor highlighted the importance of Barnieh finding a way to refocus and move forward. He raised questions about the number of matches Barnieh has played since joining FC Zurich and suggested that the forward should stop dwelling on past successes and concentrate on his present and future development.
In the recent U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match against Congo, Barnieh’s performance was lackluster, leading to his substitution at halftime. His replacement, Emmanuel Yeboah, played a crucial role in all three goals as Ghana emerged victorious with a 3-2 scoreline.
As Barnieh’s career continues to unfold, it is crucial for him to take heed of Taylor’s advice and seek the necessary support and guidance to regain his focus and potential. With the right mindset and dedication, he has the opportunity to overcome his current setbacks and fulfill the promise he showed earlier in his career.
