Charles Kwablan Akonnor, the former captain and coach of the Black Stars, has expressed his belief that his sons may follow in his footsteps and represent Ghana internationally, despite their strong connections to German football.

Akonnor, a renowned figure in Ghana, stated his intention to actively encourage his two sons, Charles Jesaja Herrmann and Charles Kwablan Herrmann, to don the Ghanaian jersey should the opportunity present itself.

Although both young athletes were born and raised in Germany, their father is optimistic that the appeal of the four-time African champions could ultimately be a deciding factor.

The Akonnor name is currently gaining recognition in European football. The younger son, Charles Kwablan Herrmann, 18, recently made a notable move to Belgian side Cercle Brugge.

The winger arrives in Belgium with an impressive background, having played a crucial role in the German teams that won both the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup and the UEFA U-17 European Championship.

Akonnor described the transition from Borussia Mönchengladbach as a "key milestone," highlighting his active involvement in facilitating the transfer.

Meanwhile, the elder brother, 25-year-old Charles Jesaja Herrmann, has established a steady career within the German football system.

As a product of the VfL Wolfsburg and Hannover 96 academies, the striker has recently joined lower-division team FC Bocholt.

In an interview with Graphic Sports, Akonnor acknowledged that persuading his sons to trade the German colours for the Black Star of Ghana would not be an easy task.

He noted that given their upbringing in Germany, it can be a challenging conversation; however, he remains confident that if an opportunity arises, the decision would be made collectively as a family.

This dilemma resonates with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), which in recent years has successfully integrated several dual-national "heritage players" into the senior squad, including Inaki Williams of Athletic Bilbao, Tariq Lamptey of Brighton & Hove Albion, and Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth.

For Akonnor, the possibility of his sons representing the nation he once led transcends mere sporting ambition; it embodies a family legacy.

Having captained the national team before taking over as manager in 2020, his impact on Ghanaian football is still profoundly felt.

While the younger Herrmann remains a key figure in the German youth setup for the time being, the "Akonnor" name ensures that scouts in Ghana will be closely monitoring their progress in Europe.