Carlos Queiroz has called on Ghana to improve on their performances after they narrowly edged past Panama in their 2026 World Cup opener on Thursday.
The Black Stars, making another appearance at the world’s biggest stage, scored a last-gasp winner against the North American side to seal maximum points.
Caleb Yirenkyi scored the winner in stoppage-time after good work from Antoine Semenyo in the buildup, breaking Panama’s resistance.
After the match, Queiroz hailed Panama’s organization and hailed his side’s resilience as they dug deep to seal victory.
“At the beginning, Panama, we knew, very well organised, speed, good control of movements. They’ve been together for years. They play first touch football. And they start the game better”, Queiroz said.
But as I said, we fight for lives, we survived. And after we have the game in control, we scored naturally because we are the best team on the pitch.”
Ghana face England next in a tough test of their credentials, with the Three Lions defeating Croatia 4-2 in their own opening clash.
Queiroz believes that they must be well prepared ahead of that clash if they are to get any favourable outcome.
“To suffer and play. We have to suffer; there is no other way. We must be ready to make sacrifices. You have to be ready to pay the price because a win in this World Cup is very expensive. But the boys are ready to pay that price. Very expensive,” Queiroz added.
“It’s true that we didn’t qualify for the last World Cup in Africa, but the World Cup is a different story. We played football, so we can count on Ghana to do things. I think all the games will be difficult, different, but we are ready to play and try to win the next game against England. We will be ready to play against them.”
Ghana will face England hoping for a favourable result to book their place in the next round of the tournament next Tuesday at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough.
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