Ghanaian football fans were sad after the 1-0 defeat by Colombia in the round of 32 fixture at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Kansas City Stadium.
After keeping awake through Friday night till Saturday morning, the Black Stars exhibited one of their poorest performances, and the players acknowledged it. Jordan Ayew promised to make Ghanaians smile, but he kept falling on the pitch and not aiming at the goal.
The Black Stars were defeated in all aspects of the game, before, during, and after, as the Colombians overran the Ghanaians and dominated the stands at the stadium with their yellow colours.
On the field of play, they started very well and pushed Ghana back, forcing the dominance and causing injury to the brightest spot in the Black Stars team.
The injury suffered by Marvin Senaya was the cause of the Black Stars’ problem, as it created the gap, chance, and opportunity for Colombia’s Jhon Arias to score.
Alidu Seidu, who replaced Senaya, had not played a match, and he justified why he is on the bench. Some people were asking how he got selected into the national team of Ghana, the Black Stars.
Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi, who started the Stars’ first match against Panama, was in goal, and the absence of Jonas Adjetey was heavily felt as Jerome Opoku and Derek Lukassen could not jell and hold the fast, crafty Colombians, especially Luis Diaz, who was operating a will. Gideon Mensah, at the left full back, was tactically disciplined.
In midfield, Thomas Partey was at his best winning balls, but lacked support from Caleb Yirenkyi and Kwesi Sibo, who were passengers in the game.
Upfront, Inaki Williams and starboy Antoine Semenyo were running for nothing and not attempting to get into the opponent’s box to score.
For skipper Jordan Ayew, who was sporting the number 9 shirt, everyone was expecting him to lead the attack and bang in the goals, but he was seen taking unproductive and ineffective free kicks and corner kicks. He was the worst player for Ghana in terms of players’ performance at the tournament.
Coach Carlos Quieroz was confused when he saw that hardworking Senaya could not play after sustaining an injury. He had no option but to bring on Alidu Seidu, who could not stand the pressure and succumbed within one minute of coming on.
Some players like Brandon Thomas Asante, Ernest Nuamah, Fatawu Issahaku, and Prince Kwabena Adu could have done better if given much playing time and placed in their best positions.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 can never be successful without problems, and despite all the conditions, including the weather, security, immigration, and officiating, it was a splendid tournament that is still going on.
Superstars representing their various countries at the World Cup, like C. Ronaldo, Leo Messi, Romelu Lukaku, Erling Hallard, Vinicius Junior, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and others have proved to be world-class players at the World Cup competition.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
