{{short description|Ghanaian footballer (born 1992)|bot=PearBOT 5}} {{for|the Ghanaian Olympic sprinter|John Asare-Antwi}} {{use Ghanaian English|date=March 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox football biography | name = John Antwi | image = | caption = | full_name = John Antwi Duku | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|8|6|df=y}}<ref name="fdcx">{{cite web | url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/john-antoi/283576/ | title=J. Antwi Summary Matches | publisher=soccerway.com | access-date=21 January 2014}}</ref> | birth_place = Sekondi, Ghana<ref name="fdcx"/> | height = 1.80 m | position = Striker | currentclub = Dreams F.C. | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = 2008–2010 | youthclubs1 = Dreams F.C. | years1 = 2011–2012 | clubs1 = Sekondi Eleven Wise | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2013–2015 | clubs2 = Ismaily | caps2 = 52 | goals2 = 31 | years3 = 2015 | clubs3 = Al Shabab | caps3 = 16 | goals3 = 4 | years4 = 2015–2018 | clubs4 = Al Ahly SC | caps4 = 29 | goals4 = 10 | years5 = 2017–2018 | clubs5 = → Misr El-Makasa (loan) | caps5 = 33 | goals5 = 22 | years6 = 2018–2019 | clubs6 = Misr El-Makasa | caps6 = 28 | goals6 = 11 | years7 = 2019–2021 | clubs7 = Pyramids | caps7 = 47 | goals7 = 9 | years8 = 2021–2022 | clubs8 = Tala'ea El Gaish SC | caps8 = 7 | goals8 = 1 | years9 = 2023 | clubs9 = Al-Faisaly SC | caps9 = | goals9 = | years10 = 2023– | clubs10 = Dreams F.C. | caps10 = | goals10 = | nationalyears1 = 2017– | nationalteam1 = Ghana | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | club-update = 11 February 2024 | nationalteam-update = 17 November 2020 }} '''John Antwi Duku''' (born 6 August 1992) is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays for Dreams F.C. as a striker. At the international level, he has featured twice for Ghana national team.
==Club career==
===Dreams F.C.=== The footballing career of John Antwi began with Dreams F.C., a Ghanaian club in the Ghana Division Two league at the time.<ref name="bio">{{cite web | url=http://www.footballtop.com/players/john-antwi | title=John Antwi. Biography | publisher=www.footballtop.com | access-date=31 December 2013}}</ref> While playing for Dreams F.C. he was invited to the 2010–2011 preseason training programme of Accra Hearts of Oak. The invitation was proved fruitful as his form showed by scoring five goals in seven friendly matches.<ref name="bio"/>
===Sekondi Eleven Wise=== Antwi began his professional football career with Sekondi Eleven Wise in Sekondi in 2011.<ref name="bio"/> His performances for Eleven Wise earned him trials with Egyptian sides Al Ahly and Beni Suef Telephones.<ref name="fdcx" /><ref name="bio" /><ref name="huiop" /> He played for the Ghanaian club for a year before being sold to Egyptian club Ismaily in 2012.<ref name="huiop">{{cite web | url=http://ghanasoccernet.com/meet-john-antwi-the-egyptian-premier-league-top-scorer | title=Meet John Antwi, the Egyptian Premier League top scorer | publisher=ghanasoccernet.com/ | access-date=31 December 2013}}</ref>
===Ismaily SC=== Antwi joined Egyptian Premier League side Ismaily in December 2012 on a five-year deal. He was purchased for two hundred and fifty thousand US$. Antwi settled quickly to life in the Egyptian league.<ref name="modern">{{cite web|title=Egypt league top-scorer John Antwi eyes Black Stars call-up|url=http://www.modernghana.com/sports/511164/2/egypt-league-top-scorer-john-antwi-e.html|access-date=21 January 2014|publisher=www.modernghana.com}}</ref> In his first season with Ismaily SC he scored a total of nine goals in as many official games he played with them.<ref name="fdcx" /><ref name="iojoj">{{cite web | url=http://allsports.com.gh/2013/12/30/john-antwi-setting-egypt-ablaze/ | title=Home / Featured / John Antwi setting Egypt ablaze John Antwi setting Egypt ablaze | publisher=www.allsports.com.gh | access-date=31 December 2013}}</ref>
Prior to the cancellation of the Egyptian Premier League due to the June 2013 political crisis, John scored two goals in CAF Confederation Cup matches, two goals in the Egypt Cup and five goals in the Egyptian Premier League.<ref name="bio" /><ref name="huiop" /><ref name="kjnkjnkjn">{{cite web | url=http://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4389/ghana/2013/02/18/3760096/john-antwi-seals-three-points-for-ismaily-with-a-brace | title=John Antwi seals three points for Ismaily with a brace against El Daklyeh | publisher=www.goal.com/en-gh/news | access-date=2 January 2014}}</ref><ref name="dhhfg">{{cite web | url=http://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/4389/ghana/2013/02/18/3760096/john-antwi-seals-three-points-for-ismaily-with-a-brace | title=The 20-year-old has become a center of attraction in Egypt after scoring two goals for Ismaily against Daklyeh over the weekend | publisher=goal.com/en-gh/news/ | access-date=21 January 2014}}</ref> As at the end of the day two of the 2013–2014 Egyptian Premier League, Antwi was the leading top scorer with four goals.<ref name="huiop"/><ref name="modern"/><ref name="hghds">{{cite web|title=Video: Ghanaian Striker John Antwi Grabs Brace For Ismaili In Egyptian League|url=http://www.ghanamma.com/video-ghanaian-striker-john-antwi-grabs-brace-for-ismaili-in-egyptian-league/|access-date=21 January 2014|publisher=www.ghanamma.com}}</ref> By the time his second season with Egyptian league side Ismaily ended, he had scored 11 goals in 16 matches to win the top scorer of the league.<ref name="huiop" />
===Al Shabab FC===
On 26 January 2015, Antwi joined the Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab after Ismaily agreed to a deal for $2,200,000 in a two-and-a-half-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kingfut.com/2015/01/26/ismaily-talisman-john-antwi-finalizes-move-al-shabab/ |title=John Antwi finalizes move to Al Shabab |date=26 January 2015 |publisher=Kingfut |access-date=26 January 2015 }}</ref> On 6 February, Antwi made his club debut as a replacement for Abdulmajeed Al Sulaiheem in the 52nd minute against Al-Khaleej FC, but he failed to score as the match ended in 1–0 away defeat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/artikel.php?ID=345589 |title=John Antwi tastes defeat in Al Shabab debut |date=6 February 2015 |publisher=GhanaWeb |access-date=7 February 2015 }}</ref> On 12 February, Antwi was chosen for the starting XI for the match against Al Fateh, he scored his first goal for the club in the 61st minute as the match ended 2–2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allsports.com.gh/football/off-the-mark-john-antwi-opens-al-shabab-account-id3479975.html |title=John Antwi opens Al Shabab account after his first goal |publisher=AllSports |access-date=19 February 2015 }}</ref>
===Al Ahly=== On 15 June 2015, Antwi signed a four-year deal with Al Ahly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kingfut.com/2015/06/16/official-ghanaian-john-antwi-ahly/ |title=John Antwi pens four-year deal with Al-Ahly|date=16 June 2015 |publisher=KingFut|access-date=16 June 2015}}</ref> The match of his career with Al-Ahly was against El-Gouna in round of 16 of the Egyptian cup. He scored a "Super Hatrick" as the match ended with a record of 13/0 for Al-Ahly. On 22 September in the final game of the Egyptian cup against Zamalek, he failed to score any goal. The match ended 2/0 for Zamalek. He was awarded the "Golden Shoe" trophy by scoring 4 goals in the Egyptian cup.
===Misr El-Makasa=== In January 2017, Antwi was signed by Misr El-Makasa on a 6-month loan deal for a reported US$100,000 fee until the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Al Ahly's John Antwi moves on loan to Misr El-Maqassa for US$ 100,000|url=https://footballghana.com/al-ahlys-john-antwi-moves-loan-misr-el-maqassa-us-100000|access-date=6 June 2021|website=Footballghana|language=en}}</ref> He went on and scored 10 league goals within that period helping them to second place in the 2016–17.<ref name=":0" /> He ended the season as the third joint top goal scorer with 11 goals including scoring one goal for Al Ahly during the first round of the season before joining Misr El-Makasa.
Due to his performances in the previous season, his loan deal was extended by a year for the 2017–18 season.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=26 July 2017|title=John Antwi set to extend Misr El Maqassa loan deal|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/John-Antwi-set-to-extend-Misr-El-Maqassa-loan-deal-563131|access-date=6 June 2021|website=GhanaWeb|language=en}}</ref> During that season, he made 22 goal contributions including scoring 16 goals and making 6 assists, ending his season as the second top goal scorer trailing Ahly forward Walid Azaro by 2 goals.
His impressive scoring run, triggered the team to put in a bid to sign him outrightly by activating his buyout clause of US$600,000.<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 February 2018|title=Egyptian side El-Makkasa set to activate John Antwi's buyout clause|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Egyptian-side-El-Makkasa-set-to-activate-John-Antwi-s-buyout-clause-627175|access-date=6 June 2021|website=GhanaWeb|language=en}}</ref> In June 2018, he was signed ahead of the 2018–19 season.<ref name="fdcx" /> Antwi made 28 league appearances and scored 11 goals at the end of the season.<ref name="fdcx" /> That season, he made history as he surpassed Ernest Papa Arko who scored 61 goals as the highest foreign scorer in the Egyptian Premier league with 63 goals after scoring a hat-trick during a match against ENPPI.<ref>{{Cite web|date=4 December 2018|title=Egyptian side Misr El-Makasa name price tag for in-form John Antwi|url=https://www.happyghana.com/egyptian-side-misr-el-makasa-name-price-tag-for-in-form-john-antwi/|access-date=6 June 2021|website=Happy Ghana|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Misr Lel Makasa vs. ENPPI - 25 November 2018 - Soccerway|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2018/11/25/egypt/premier-league/misr-el-maqasha/enppi/2909860/|access-date=6 June 2021|website=int.soccerway.com}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Talaat|first=Tarek|date=25 November 2018|title=Ghana's Antwi makes history in Egypt|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46337585|access-date=6 June 2021|website=BBC Sport|language=en-GB}}</ref> Throughout his {{frac|2|1|2}} seasons, he scored 40 goals, made 10 assists in 76 appearances in all competitions.<ref name="ghanaweb.com">{{Cite web|date=1 August 2019|title=Pyramids paid $1.5m to sign Misr El-Makassa forward John Antwi|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Pyramids-paid-1-5m-to-sign-Misr-El-Makassa-forward-John-Antwi-768641|access-date=6 June 2021|website=GhanaWeb|language=en}}</ref>
=== Pyramids === In April 2019, Misr El-Makasa reportedly rejected a Zamalek swap deal for Kasongo Kabongo.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 April 2019|title=Misr El Makasa reject Zamalek's swap deal to sign John Antwi|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Misr-El-Makasa-reject-Zamalek-s-swap-deal-to-sign-John-Antwi-741991|access-date=6 June 2021|website=GhanaWeb|language=en}}</ref> A month later on 30 July 2019, Antwi was acquired by Cairo side Pyramids on a 5-year deal for a US$1.5 million. He was set to earn $600,000 per season.<ref name="ghanaweb.com"/> On 6 September 2020, after scoring his side's lone goal in their away defeat 2–1 to El-Gouna SC set a milestone in Egyptian football by becoming the first foreign player to score a 100th goal with Egyptian clubs in all competitions.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=7 September 2020|title=Ghana's John Antwi reaches 100 goals in Egypt – Panafricanfootball|url=https://panafricanfootball.com/2020/09/07/ghanas-john-antwi-reaches-100-goals-in-egypt/|access-date=7 June 2021|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Sienu|first=Sheikh Tophic|date=8 September 2020|title=Ghana FA congratulates John Antwi for becoming first foreign player to score 100 goals in Egypt|url=https://footballmadeinghana.com/2020/09/08/ghana-fa-congratulates-john-antwi-for-becoming-first-foreign-player-to-score-100-goals-in-egypt/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922144535/https://footballmadeinghana.com/2020/09/08/ghana-fa-congratulates-john-antwi-for-becoming-first-foreign-player-to-score-100-goals-in-egypt/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=22 September 2020|access-date=7 June 2021|website=Football Made In Ghana|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Taiwo|first=Taiye|date=7 September 2020|title=Ghana striker Antwi makes goalscoring history in Egyptian football {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en-cm/news/ghana-striker-antwi-makes-goalscoring-history-in-egyptian/f8bvc2vrpqfc1qja0on2xrlmn|access-date=7 June 2021|website=www.goal.com}}</ref> He helped the club to their first CAF Confederation Cup in 2019–20 CAF Confederation Cup which they lost to Moroccan side RS Berkane.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Teye|first=Prince Narkortu|date=25 October 2020|title=Caf Confederation Cup: Antwi's Pyramids bow to Berkane in final|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/caf-confederation-cup-antwis-pyramids-bow-to-berkane-in/4k1pejf21llc1pd214xm3i5ct|access-date=7 June 2021|website=www.goal.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=26 October 2020|title=Pyramids lose CAF Confederation Cup final|url=https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/8/93546/Pyramids-lose-CAF-Confederation-Cup-final|access-date=7 June 2021|website=EgyptToday}}</ref>
==International career== ===Youth career=== Antwi was named as a member of the provisional team for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.<ref name="fds">{{cite web | url=http://www.nigeriasoccernet.com/ghanaian-youngster-john-antwi-scores-for-ismaily-in-egypt/ | title=Ghanaian youngster John Antwi scores for Ismaily in Egypt | publisher=www.nigeriasoccernet.com | access-date=21 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=13 May 2013|title=Ghanaian youngster John Antwi scores for Ismaily in Egypt|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/ghanaian-youngster-john-antwi-scores-for-ismaily-in-egypt|access-date=6 June 2021|website=GhanaSoccernet|language=en}}</ref>
===Senior career=== The goal scoring exploits of John Antwi are closely monitored in his home country of Ghana. In mid-2013 there were several calls for the player to be included in the Ghana national team, the Black Stars, for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.<ref name="bji">{{cite web|title=Striker John Antwi knocking on the door of Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah|url=http://www.ghanasoccernet.com/striker-john-antwi-knocking-on-the-radar-of-ghana-coach-kwesi-appiah/|access-date=31 December 2013|publisher=www.ghanasoccernet.com}}</ref> Though the player was omitted from the national team, his form has continued to encourage the handlers of the national team who continue to watch his progress.<ref name="modern" /><ref name="bji" /><ref name="uhui">{{cite web|title=Egypt league top-scorer John Antwi eyes Black Stars call-up|url=http://www.ghanasoccernet.com/egypt-league-top-scorer-john-antwi-eyes-black-stars-call-up/|access-date=2 January 2014|publisher=www.ghanasoccernet.com/}}</ref> He was called up to the senior Ghana squad for a World Cup qualifier against Uganda in October 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=John Antwi included as Ghana announce squad for Uganda qualifier |url=https://www.kingfut.com/2017/09/27/john-antwi-ghana-squad-uganda/|access-date=1 July 2018 |publisher=kingfut.com |date=27 September 2017}}</ref> On 10 October 2017, he made his debut after coming on at half-time for Raphael Dwamena in a 3–0 victory over Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Akyereko|first=Akwasi|date=10 October 2017|title=Egypt-based striker John Antwi finally makes Ghana debut in massive win over Saudi Arabia|url=https://ghanasportsonline.com/2017/10/egypt-based-striker-john-antwi-finally-makes-ghana-debut-massive-win-saudi-arabia/|access-date=7 June 2021|website=Ghana Sports Online|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=12 October 2017|title=Antwi shines on Black Stars debut|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Antwi-shines-on-Black-Stars-debut-590004|access-date=7 June 2021|website=GhanaWeb|language=en}}</ref> After two years, he received call ups to the national team for 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan November 2020. He came on in the 67th minute with Ghana eventually losing to Sudan through a goal in the 90th minute.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Match Report of Sudan vs Ghana - 2020-11-17 - Total Africa Cup of Nations Qualification - Global Sports Archive|url=https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2020-11-17/sudan-vs-ghana/1784878/|access-date=7 June 2021|website=globalsportsarchive.com}}</ref> He received a call up to the team for the subsequent matches last matches against South Africa and São Tomé and Príncipe but didn't feature in any of them.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ismail|first=Ali|date=20 March 2021|title=Pyramids FC striker Antwi named in Ghana national team squad|url=https://www.kingfut.com/2021/03/20/ghana-call-up-antwi/|access-date=7 June 2021|website=KingFut|language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===International === {| class="wikitable" style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=2|Ghana |2017||1||0 |- |2020||1||0 |- !colspan=2|Total||2||0 |}
==Honours== '''Al Ahly<ref name="fdcx" />'''
* Egyptian Premier League: 2015–16,<ref name="fdcx" /> 2016–17<ref>{{Cite web|last=Strack-Zimmermann|first=Benjamin|title=John Antwi|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/69413/John_Antwi.html|access-date=7 June 2021|website=www.national-football-teams.com|language=en}}</ref> *Egyptian FA Cup runner up: 2015, 2016<ref name="fdcx" />
'''Pyramids<ref name="fdcx" />'''
* CAF Confederation Cup runner-up: 2019–20<ref name="fdcx" /> *Egyptian FA Cup runner up: 2018–19 '''Individual''' * Egyptian Premier League top scorer: 2013–14 *Egyptian FA Cup top scorer: 2015, 2018–19 '''Records''' * All-time highest foreign scorer in the Egyptian Premier league: 78 goals<ref name=":1" /><ref name="fdcx" /> * All-time highest foreign scorer in all competitions with Egyptian clubs: 102 goals<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Football|first=CAF-Confedération Africaine du|title=Antwi benchmarks century of goals with Egyptian clubs|url=https://www.cafonline.com/news-center/news/antwi-benchmarks-century-of-goals-with-egyptian-clubs|access-date=7 June 2021|website=CAFOnline.com|language=en}}</ref><ref name="fdcx" />
===Nomination=== In October 2024, he was nominated for the Men's Interclub Player of the Year category at the 2024 CAF Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 October 2024 |title=CAF Awards 2024: Aziz Issah and John Antwi nominated for Interclub Player of the Year - MyJoyOnline |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/caf-awards-2024-aziz-issah-and-john-antwi-nominated-for-interclub-player-of-the-year/ |access-date=24 October 2024 |website=www.myjoyonline.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
* {{Soccerway|id=283576}} * {{GSA player|john-antwi/44517}}
{{Egyptian Premier League topscorers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Antwi, John}} Category:Living people Category:1992 births Category:Ghanaian men's footballers Category:Ismaily SC players Category:Al Shabab Club players Category:Al Ahly SC players Category:Misr Lel Makkasa SC players Category:Egyptian Premier League players Category:Saudi Pro League players Category:Footballers from Sekondi-Takoradi Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Sekondi Eleven Wise F.C. players Category:Dreams F.C. players Category:Ghanaian expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Egypt Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Saudi Arabia Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Jordan Category:Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in Egypt Category:Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in Saudi Arabia Category:Ghanaian expatriate sportspeople in Jordan Category:Ghana Premier League players Category:Ghana men's international footballers Category:21st-century Ghanaian sportsmen