Ethan Ampadu, the 23-year-old midfielder from Leeds United, will lead Wales as captain for the first time in their friendly match against Slovakia on Sunday. This is a significant moment for Ampadu, who already has 51 caps for his country despite his young age. He expressed his pride and gratitude, stating that it’s a dream come true for him and his family. Ampadu also revealed that wearing the captain’s armband for Leeds in the second half of the season has helped ease his nerves.
Manager Rob Page had previously hinted that Ampadu was in line to lead the team in one of the friendly fixtures this month and even suggested that he could be a permanent captain for Wales in the future. After a disappointing goalless draw against Gibraltar, where some fans booed Page and called for his sacking, he will be hoping for an improved performance from Wales against Slovakia to relieve some of the pressure on him.
Page has faced criticism recently after Wales failed to qualify for Euro 2024, including a humiliating home defeat by Armenia. Therefore, a strong showing against Slovakia is crucial for both Ampadu and Page to regain the confidence of the fans. However, they can expect a tough challenge from Slovakia, who will be playing their final match before facing Belgium in their Euro 2024 opening fixture.
Overall, this friendly match presents an opportunity for Ampadu to prove himself as a capable leader and for Wales to bounce back from their disappointing performance against Gibraltar. The team will be looking to deliver an improved performance and alleviate some of the pressure on manager Rob Page.