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In the corridors of Chelsea’s Cobham training complex, two teenagers with Ghanaian roots are quietly rising through the ranks: Genesis Kofi Koranteng Antwi and Ato Bondze Ampah. Both were part of the Chelsea squad that lifted the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League title, and both remain eligible to represent Ghana at the senior international level. Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Genesis Antwi’s story began far from West Africa. The 18-year-old right-back, born to Ghanaian parents, moved to England at age seven, carrying with him a football dream that would soon find wings. Initially a youth player at Hammarby, he was spotted by Chelsea scouts and joined their academy at just eleven years old. Depth and Rotation: How the Black Stars used 46 players on the road to the 2026 World Cup Fast forward to March 2025, and the young defender made his first-team debut in a European night at Stamford Bridge, a 1–0 win over Copenhagen in the UEFA Conference League. Later that season, he would come off the bench again, replacing Jadon Sancho in the semi-final against Djurgarden, helping Chelsea reach the final en route to lifting the trophy. Antwi’s development has been steady and impressive. A natural full-back capable of playing on both flanks, his pace, composure, and attacking instincts have made him one of the standout performers in Chelsea’s Under-18 and Under-21 sides. He’s already represented both England and Sweden at youth level, including a starring role at the 2024 Under-17 Euros, where he scored against Poland. Still, with Ghanaian heritage running deep, the door remains open for him to wear the Black Stars jersey in the future. Then there’s Ato Ampah, born in Accra, Ghana, and raised on the dream of making it big in Europe. Ampah joined Chelsea’s academy at just eleven, where his fearless style on the wings caught the eye. A tricky, direct, and explosive forward, Ampah has long been known for his ability to beat defenders one-on-one, a throwback to the raw flair often associated with Ghanaian wingers. After years of progression through the youth ranks, his big moment came on December 12, 2024, when he made his senior debut in Chelsea’s Conference League win over Astana in Kazakhstan. It was a glimpse of what could become a thrilling career at the top level. Despite his deep Ghanaian roots, Ampah has so far represented England at under-18 level, showing how highly he’s rated in the English setup. Meanwhile, watch the latest Sports Check interview with Alex Kotey, the GFA Referees Manager below
