Bellamy sees Koumas future at centre-forward

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Highlights: Wales and Ghana draw a friendly in Cardiff

Wales head coach Craig Bellamy believes Lewis Koumas' international future will be as a centre-forward.

Koumas scored his first goal for Wales to earn a 1-1 draw against Ghana in Tuesday's friendly at Cardiff City Stadium.

The 20-year-old Liverpool player has spent much of his burgeoning career on the left wing, but Bellamy has used him as a centre-forward recently.

"[He is a] nine because we don't really have any nines coming through and we do have a lot of wingers, brilliant wingers," said the Wales boss.

"He could definitely be a huge asset for us on the wing but, due to our lack of nines coming through the system, we've used him a lot in training that way and he's really been electric.

"There's a lot to like about Koomy. He's such a young player and I'm over the moon he got his goal because he's deserved it."

Koumas spent the second half of the 2025-26 season on loan at Hull City, helping them win promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs.

The Liverpool academy product has previously been on loan at Birmingham City and Stoke City, where he predominantly played on the left flank.

But whereas Wales are well stocked out wide with the likes of Daniel James, Harry Wilson, Brennan Johnson, David Brooks and Sorba Thomas among their options, they have a shortage of genuine strikers.

"We started him [as a centre-forward] against Northern Ireland [friendly draw in March], I thought he was okay," Bellamy added.

"When he came on today, he needs to be a little bit tidier but that's normal.

"I see him as a real future player for Wales who's going to have a big say. I'm delighted for him."

Having missed out on World Cup qualification after losing their play-off semi-final at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina in March, Wales will finish their season with a friendly in Romania on Saturday (18:45 BST).

Ghana, meanwhile, will travel to the United States to prepare for a World Cup campaign in which they have been drawn in a group alongside England, Croatia and Panama.

Asked about the Black Stars' prospects for the tournament, Bellamy said: "You have a tough group, a new manager [Carlos Queiroz].

"You have some key players who weren't involved today. I like Inaki Williams, [Antoine] Semenyo. You're a dangerous team in transition because of the speed you always have in the top line – Ghana have had that for a number of years.

"If you can keep it tight... counter-attacking ability... your first game is Panama, your tournament is going to be decided on that game. If you win one game, you might get into the knockout stage.

"Croatia and England are going to be two really difficult games. The way you support your team, you never know."