Despite having represented Germany at various youth levels, Charles-Jesaja Herrmann, the son of Charles Akonnor, has stated that he would like to play for Ghana.
Herrmann was born and raised in Germany, and he is currently on loan from his parent club Wolfsburg to Kortrijk.
The striker joined Wolfsburg through his father’s old agent in 2015.
Herrmann revealed in an exclusive interview with omasports that he has ties to Ghana despite not visiting the country in over a decade.
READ ALSO: I have been convinced to play for Ghana but I won’t, I prefer Spain – Inaki Williams opens up on why he won’t play for Ghana
“To be honest, I feel honoured [by Ghanaians] because I feel attached to them. Although I haven’t been there for 11 years, but I still feel attached to them. It makes me proud to hear that people are talking about me. So it’s a good feeling.
“I grew up with Twi. My mother taught me how to speak Twi. I can’t speak it well. When I speak people understand me, but not the African way. But I can speak Twi. It’s good.”
“I eat a lot of Ghanaian food. I eat rice with stew. Jollof rice. Ghanaian has the best jollof. {Laughs hysterically}. I eat a lot of Ghanaian soup and waakye too,” the 21-year-old added.
From 2015 to 2019, Herrmann represented Germany’s U15, U16, U17, U18, and U19 teams. He is, however, willing to play for the Black Stars if called up.
“There’s no doubt that I’ll like to play for Ghana. I’ll go direct. When they call me, I’ll go direct. You know I was born and raised in Germany but I’m a black man. I’m from Ghana, so I have this Ghana heart still in me. I just feel attached although I wasn’t there for a long time. But when they’ll call me, I’ll go direct because I want to make the people there proud.
“I can name a lot of Ghanaian footballers. I follow them. The Ayew brothers. Sulley Muntari. I watched them all in the World Cup in 2006. Asamoah Gyan. Michael Essien. Because of Essien, most Ghanaians want to play for Chelsea. They’re like legends. Yes and my dad of course. Abedi Pele, Tony Yeboah,” he added.
Read More: “I have decided to play for England, but I could possibly play for Ghana in the future” – Chelsea forward, Callum Hudson-Odoi opens up
Herrmann aspires to play in the World Cup and, for the time being, wants to regain confidence in front of goal.
“I want to achieve many many great things to be honest. I know the way won’t be easy to get to where I want to get. But right now I’m focused on getting playing time so I can start to score. So I hope the following year I can go to the World Cup.”
It’s in my mind right now. I want to start playing and scoring goals so I can feel better on the pitch, feel confident. So when the call up comes, I hope I can help my fatherland.”
Herrmann has played in three league games for Kortrijk in the Jupiter Pro League next season.