Antoine Semenyo spoke to FIFA about his rise to prominence, his proud family roots, facing England and wanting to make history at the World Cup.
- Antoine Semenyo has been speaking to FIFA
- Ghana attacker reflects on his meteoric rise
- Believes the nation can do "special things" in North America
When Antoine Semenyo travelled to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, he could have been forgiven for thinking he'd reached the pinnacle. After all, his trip to the biggest tournament in sport came just over five years after he'd quit football as a dissatisfied teenager.
“I went to quite a few academies between 11 and 15. Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Fulham, Millwall. Crystal Palace was my last trial at 15,” he told FIFA in an exclusive interview. “I went there for two months, didn't get in, and (was) very frustrated that I wasn't signed by any of the teams. I just ended up giving it up and focusing on school. I gave up for the year, enjoyed just being normal."
After a year out of the game, he was coaxed into giving it another try by former Leeds United coach Dave Hockaday, who was head of male sport at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College. Semenyo excelled in a series of friendlies versus professional academies, prompting Bristol City to sign him in 2017.
Loans to Bath City, Newport and Sunderland followed, before the forward enjoyed his breakthrough year in 2020/21, playing 50 matches and scoring seven times. The next season, Semenyo returned 20 goals and assists from 32 Championship matches. That form caught the eye of Ghana, who called him up in May 2022 for AFCON qualifying. Despite living his entire life in England, the chance to represent his parent’s birthplace proved a no-brainer.
“My mum and dad are Ghana through [and through]. They never really mentioned anything about England,” he admitted. “Obviously, living in England, you get the conversation of: 'Oh, you should represent England'. But it was never a conversation I ever had, really. Ghana came in when I was 19, 20, so I was never going to turn it down.
“I feel like watching Ghana play in the World Cup was so special. Mum, Dad, uncles, aunties, cousins all turn up to one house, and we'll watch all the games together, celebrating, screaming, all the emotions and above. It's everything – it's so special.”
Just over five months on from his debut against Madagascar, Semenyo’s family were now watching one of their own play on global soil. While he managed just 19 minutes across two substitute appearances as the Black Stars fell at the groups in Qatar, Semenyo believes that tournament will stand him and his side in good stead.
“It was very surreal,” he admitted. “At that time, I was still at Bristol City, so it was so special. But I feel like now, I just want to prove – and we all want to prove – that we're a top nation. Since that last World Cup, a bit of experience has come in. I feel mentally a lot stronger, I feel healthy and I'm 100 per cent. So I want to contribute the best way I can.”
Semenyo moved to Bournemouth in January 2023 and quickly became a hit with the Cherries faithful. His rise continued from there, with Manchester City parting with more than £60m for his services earlier this year. Now a regular for one of the biggest clubs in the world, the deciding goalscorer in the FA Cup final, and on the brink of playing at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Semenyo is a world away from where he was just a decade earlier.
“It’s surreal to be honest. I speak to my friends about it all the time. I didn't think I would ever make it this far,” Semenyo stated. “I thought just being a professional was enough – signing for Bristol City was enough for me. So, to say that I'm going to (another) World Cup… yeah, it's amazing.”
You can read more from our interview with Antoine Semenyo below.
FIFA: You’ve been paired with England in Group L. How will that feel for you?
Antoine Semenyo: It will just feel normal. I don't think I'll feel anything. I think if anything, I'll just want to win, and just prove that we can compete with the top nations. I don't think it changes anything for me, but I know playing against my friends, I want to prove my point. I want to show that we are a top nation, we can play together, and we can beat all the top teams.
What are your memories of watching Ghana at the World Cup?
When we played against Germany in 2010, I think we lost (1-0). We played so well. Obviously, Germany had great quality and ended up scoring, but I just remember that game vividly. Just like: 'Wow, we're actually a top nation. We can compete with all of these nations'. Obviously, the Uruguay game I remember quite well. I watched that game with my family. I remember being at my uncle's house and we were screaming. After the (Luis Suarez) handball, thinking: 'Oh my God, we're going through'. And then obviously, the penalty (taken by Asamoah Gyan with the last kick of the game) was missed. But we still competed well.
How determined are the side to bounce back after failing to qualify for the 2025 AFCON?
We were so frustrated that we didn't qualify. It was very, very tough. But I feel like we've rectified that in terms of qualifying for the World Cup. But, we're not just coming to the World Cup, we want to compete on all levels. I feel like everyone in the team is ready to go. For us, we can compete with these teams. It's just [about] winning games, having fun and showing the nation what we can do.
What gives you confidence that this Ghana side can compete at the World Cup?
We've got the backing of our nation, for one. Obviously, loads of prayers and blessings over the team, but we've got a good management staff, we've got good background staff, and everyone is just so positive and confident, and that gives us the positivity to go out on the pitch and do what we need to do and win games. So, it plays a massive part and definitely goes a long way. I feel like we've got a lot of attacking talent and killer instincts. A lot of players that just want to get in positions and shoot and score. Defensively we're solid as well. We work together as a team.
How much does this side want to make history?
I think that's the intention. I feel like we do want to write our own story. We've got such a good team, and we just need to prove to the world that we can be up there and compete with everyone else. I feel like that's the only question right now, so once we do that, that'll be the story written. I don't want to jinx anything but I think, for me personally, getting through the group stage would be a start for us. I feel like we can go on and do special things.
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