Choosing Ghana is about blood, pride, legacy, and roots - Antoine Semenyo’s mother

The mother of Ghana international Antoine Semenyo has shared the emotional story behind her son's decision to represent Ghana, urging diaspora parents to remain steadfast in helping their children stay connected to their roots.

Dela Dzebu, speaking at an event organised by the GFA to help in talent identification in the UK, reflected on the challenges many immigrant families face as young footballers with dual nationality weigh their international futures.

“The emotional journey is difficult, but you don’t stop. It’s been resilient. Knowing that being in the diaspora and knowing what happens on the streets around us — trust me, it’s hard,” she said.

“You would feel proud to be part of the Ghanaian journey. Football in the UK, for me, is about the boots. Football in Ghana is about blood; it’s about pride, it’s about legacy, it’s about your roots,” she explained.

The Bournemouth forward eventually committed his international future to Ghana and has since become a key figure for the Black Stars.

Dzebu described seeing her son wear Ghana’s colours for the first time as one of the proudest moments of her life.

“As a parent, what you feel when he wears his jersey for the first time and the crowd is roaring — you cannot put it into words. It’s amazing,” she said.

She also encouraged parents across the diaspora to be patient and persistent in nurturing their children's connection to their heritage, insisting the rewards extend far beyond football.