Awuah’s talent is genetic. Born to a man brilliant with his feet, this young striker’s hunger is fueled by his father’s unfulfilled ambition.
Despite his father’s talent, football never served him kindly, denying him the chance to experience the game at its highest level. Awuah is determined to change that narrative.
Ask anyone at Medimafo Football Academy, a Division Two side in the Ashanti Region, about Joshua Awuah Ampofo, and you will hear the same words. His coach, Dennis Oppong Yeboah, puts it simply: “He’s a natural finisher with a real taste for scoring.”
Ghana’s Striker Void
For Ghanaian football fans, the debate about who will succeed Asamoah Gyan has lingered for years. Since the retirement of the Black Stars’ all-time top scorer, no one has convincingly filled the void. Jordan Ayew has been the most consistent name in attack, but his 110+ appearances, 29 goals, and 15 assists place him in rare company among Ghana’s forwards while also underlining a mixed record.
Others, including Richmond Boakye-Yiadom, the late Raphael Dwamena, Caleb Ekuban, and Felix Afena-Gyan, were once seen as heirs to Gyan’s role but could not maintain the momentum. Injuries, loss of form, and adaptation struggles kept them from taking the mantle.
Even before Gyan, there was Tony Yeboah.
This pattern is not new. Ghana has produced several forwards who promised much at youth level but faded when they moved abroad. Sadat Bukari was a sensation at Heart of Lions but struggled for stability in Europe. Ransford Osei, a star of the 2009 U-20 World Cup-winning side, never found his feet abroad. Dominic Adiyiah, winner of the Golden Ball at the same tournament, signed for AC Milan but failed to make a single appearance before drifting through loans and lower leagues. More recently, Ebenezer Assifuah, top scorer at the 2013 U-20 World Cup, showed flashes in Switzerland and France but never made the leap to the elite stage.
The repeated cycle of early promise, high expectations, and stunted careers has deepened the frustration of Ghanaian fans who yearn for a reliable number nine. Against this backdrop, every new name is met with both hope and caution.
A New Journey
At just 20, Awuah is already living a football journey many in Ghana only dream of. Like Gyan, he began as an attacking midfielder often deployed in the number ten role, before transitioning into a forward capable of operating across central attacking areas. From his early kick bouts in Kumasi, he has now leapt to FK Jonava, a BE1 club in Lithuania’s second tier.
The youngster’s game is defined by instinct, pace, and a relentless hunger for goals—qualities that powered his 15-goal haul in all competitions for Medimafo Football Academy during the 2024–25 league and FA Cup campaign.
He first turned heads in the Ashanti Regional Football Association Division Two League, where he became Medimafo’s go-to man in attack. His goals helped the club qualify for the 2025–26 MTN FA Cup and cemented his reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous strikers. Some even compare him to Sergio Agüero: small, quick, and lethal inside the box.
His game is built on sharp movement and composure under pressure. Coaches describe him as a player who needs only half a chance to punish defenders. Unlike many young strikers who rush their finishes, Awuah is patient, often waiting for the goalkeeper to commit before calmly slotting the ball into the net.
How It Started
Behind the rising-star label is the story of a boy who simply fell in love with football.
“I started playing at the age of three in my hometown, Atwima Agogo,” Awuah told Joy Sports.
“At first, it was just for fun with friends after school, but I quickly realised how much I loved the game. I joined a local team called A.A. Galaxy when I was six, and that’s when I started training more seriously.”
For him, those after-school games became the stepping stone to something bigger.
“Every step taught me something new about discipline, sacrifice, and staying humble,” he said.
“Now, I am at a new club, and I see it as another step forward in my journey toward becoming a professional.”
Awuah is quick to credit the people who guided him. “I was always inspired by many coaches in my grassroots career, especially Coach Charles Boampong, and of course, my parents, my mom and dad, who helped me grow as both a player and a person.”
It is his father’s unfulfilled dream that fuels him.
“What inspires me to play football is my dad. He loved the game and had the talent, but he never got the chance to compete at the highest level. I’m playing not just for myself, but for him too, to carry on his passion and go where he couldn’t. Every time I step on the pitch, I feel like I’m honouring his dream while building my own.”
Adapting Abroad
Now far from Ghana, Awuah admits the challenge of distance is real, but so is his determination.
“Being far from home is hard, but it’s also a sacrifice I’m willing to make to reach my goals. I remind myself why I started this journey and where I come from, to become the best version of myself and achieve something bigger.”
Lithuania may not be Europe’s biggest football stage, but for Awuah, it is a launchpad. Many Ghanaian strikers, from Tony Yeboah, who had a brilliant stay in Germany, to Gyan in Italy and later the UAE, took unexpected routes before hitting the spotlight. FK Jonava, known for giving youngsters freedom to grow, could be the platform that sharpens Awuah for bigger challenges.
Looking Ahead
His short-term goal is simple: adapt and make an impact.
“I want to quickly adjust to the team’s playing style, earn the trust of the coaches and my teammates, and contribute wherever I’m needed.”
On his long-term plans, Awuah is clear.
“In five years, I see myself competing in top leagues and constantly developing my game. I hope to be an established player with a solid reputation for my work ethic and performance. I also want to take on more responsibility, maybe even a leadership role, helping younger players grow the way others helped me.”
There is no guarantee Awuah will hit the strides of Yeboah or Gyan, or even become the Black Stars’ main striker in the near future. However, his trajectory appears to be on a path to greater heights.
Football talents can only thrive on the path laid before them, and on this road, Awuah has the potential to be stellar.