AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro delivered a solid performance in the recent UEFA Europa Conference League match against Shelbourne, keeping a clean sheet and looking calm and confident as though returning from injury had never slowed him. Many fans are now asking: if he can perform like this, what is preventing Ghana’s head coach Otto Addo from bringing him into the national team goal post?
Owusu-Oduro’s recent form
The 21-year-old shot-stopper remains first-choice at AZ Alkmaar, having recently signed a long-term contract extension through 2030. His form has been promising: beyond this latest clean sheet, Owusu-Oduro has had strong outings in league and cup competitions, and even produced match-winning penalty saves to help his club reach the Dutch Cup final.
Why Otto Addo may be holding off — for now
Despite being eligible to play for Ghana (his father is Ghanaian), Owusu-Oduro recently indicated that representing Ghana is not his immediate priority. He told reporters he was concentrating on helping the Netherlands U-21 side qualify for upcoming European youth tournaments. This stance likely complicates any immediate call-up. For a player to be selected by Ghana, he must express willingness to commit — and currently, Owusu-Oduro seems focused elsewhere.
What the netizens are saying
Many fans have voiced frustration on social media: seeing a talented, in-form goalkeeper of Ghanaian descent excelling in Europe, they wonder why the senior national side doesn’t tap into that potential. Comments echo a common sentiment: “If he’s doing this in Europe, why not give him a chance with the Black Stars?”
Some argue that with the right encouragement from management — especially from the national goalkeeper coach — Ghana could benefit from integrating Owusu-Oduro early, building for future competitions like the 2026 World Cup. Others caution that forcing a national-team switch against a player’s expressed preference could backfire.
What needs to happen for a Ghana call-up
For Owusu-Oduro to realistically be considered for the senior squad under Otto Addo, the following need to align:
Owusu-Oduro must publicly declare interest in representing Ghana (i.e. reverse his previous stance). Ghana’s coaching and selection staff need to decide he fits the squad’s tactical and long-term plans — especially given existing options in goal. The decision must respect his dual-national eligibility and personal ambitions regarding the Netherlands youth system.
Given how well he’s playing, I believe it’s only a matter of time before the question resurfaces — but it ultimately depends on his willingness to switch allegiance and Ghana’s readiness to reach out.
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