As Ghana’s U17 head coach Kassim Ocansey Mingle continues his nationwide talent identification exercise ahead of the upcoming WAFU U17 Championship, a promising young Ghanaian talent based in the United States is steadily attracting attention and making a strong case for inclusion in the Black Starlets setup.
Ethan Onwona-Agyemang, a highly-rated midfielder, has emerged as one of the exciting prospects on the radar of the national youth team technical handlers following an impressive campaign with Shattuck-St. Mary’s (SSM) in the United States. The talented youngster played a pivotal role in helping his side qualify for the prestigious MLS NEXT Flex tournament and feature in the MLS NEXT Cup, serving as one of the team’s three captains during the season.
The Ghanaian youngster’s leadership qualities and performances in midfield have earned him widespread admiration within youth soccer circles in the United States. Following a successful U17 season, Ethan is set to continue his development with Shattuck-St. Mary’s at the U19 level during the 2026/27 campaign, a significant step in his football journey.
Currently, during the MLS NEXT offseason, Ethan is maintaining his sharpness and gaining valuable competitive experience with St Croix Legends in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL). His development pathway has seen him feature for respected youth clubs including Iowa Rush Soccer, Des Moines Menace and VSA Rush Soccer, where he enjoyed considerable success and helped his teams win several state-level championships.
His impressive rise through the ranks also earned him multiple selections to the Iowa Olympic Development Program teams at the 2009 Boys age category, where he represented the state at regional tournaments and further showcased his potential against some of the best young talents in the country.
Despite growing up in the United States, Ethan’s connection to Ghana remains strong. Born into a proud Ghanaian family with both parents hailing from Ghana, he was raised in a household where football and national pride were deeply cherished.
Beyond the pitch, he actively contributes to the development of the game in Ghana through the Rush REACH Program, helping to collect, sort, package and ship football equipment to the Ghana Rush Program, an initiative that has supported young footballers since 2009.
With his technical ability, leadership qualities, strong football education and commitment to his Ghanaian roots, Ethan Onwona-Agyemang is increasingly positioning himself as a player worthy of consideration for the Black Starlets. As preparations intensify for the WAFU U17 Championship, Coach Kassim Mingle may find it difficult to overlook the talented midfielder, who could soon be handed an opportunity to prove his credentials in Ghana’s national youth setup.
Watch the Video highlights of Ethan Onwona-Agyemang below: