Ghana forward Jerry Afriyie tops CIES ranking for most high accelerations among U21 forwards

Ghanaian forward Jerry Afriyie has received major recognition for his explosive athletic qualities after topping a new CIES Football Observatory ranking for most high accelerations per 90 minutes among U21 centre-forwards across 36 top divisions worldwide.

According to the latest data released by the respected Swiss-based research body, the RAAL La Louviere striker leads the chart with an outstanding 12.79 high accelerations per 90 minutes, placing him ahead of highly-rated prospects playing in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

The ranking considers players who have logged more than 630 minutes either in the current season or the last completed campaign.

Afriyie’s position at the top of the list underlines his standout physical profile, particularly his sharp bursts of pace, quick directional changes and ability to stretch defences with repeated high-intensity runs.

These qualities have made him a constant threat in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League and a difficult opponent for defenders to contain.

The Ghana U20 international has enjoyed a steady rise in Europe since joining La Louviere on loan from Saudi Arabian side Al Qadsiah, combining his pace with growing composure in front of goal.

He has already scored four league goals this season, while also contributing with intelligent off-the-ball movement that opens up space for teammates.

 

Afriyie’s dominance in a metric focused on acceleration rather than outright speed highlights his effectiveness in short-distance sprints - an increasingly valued attribute in modern football.

It also reinforces why he continues to attract attention as one of Ghana’s most promising young attackers currently plying his trade abroad.

With consistent performances and continued development, Afriyie’s blend of speed, power and finishing ability positions him as a strong candidate for a Black Stars consideration for the FIFA World Cup, while further enhancing his profile on the European stage.

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