Ghana's national team, the Black Stars, exited the World Cup in the last 32, losing to Colombia with a single goal. Despite a strong showing in the group stage, where they beat Panama and held England to a scoreless draw, the team's performance was marred by a lack of creativity in the final third. The team's coach, Carlos Queiroz, had only been in the job for two months prior to the match, and his squad selection was questioned by many.
The team's captain, Jordan Ayew, defended Queiroz, stating that changing systems and player habits isn't something that can be done overnight. However, this raises questions about why the team waited until 72 days before the World Cup to make the change in coaching, rather than moving on from Otto Addo after the Africa Cup of Nations exit. The timing of the coaching change has been widely criticized, with many believing that it hindered the team's preparation.
The absence of Mohammed Kudus, a player capable of manufacturing something from nothing, was also pointed to as a key factor in the team's poor performance. Kudus was replaced by a more steady and dependable player, but the gap he left was not filled. The team's selection leaned towards what Queiroz trusted rather than what the team was missing, which has been questioned by many.
Queiroz himself pointed to the moment when Marvin Senaya came off with a hamstring problem in the 13th minute as a turning point in the game. The team's discipline and organization suffered after his departure, and Colombia took advantage of this to score. The timing of Senaya's injury and the introduction of Alidu Seidu, who was making his first appearance of the tournament, has been cited as a coincidence that highlighted the team's lack of depth.
Asamoah Gyan, a former Ghanaian player, criticized the team's tactics, stating that they should have stuck with what had worked against England rather than switching approach mid-tournament. He also expressed frustration at the team's lack of urgency after going behind, which he believed was a major factor in their exit. Gyan's comments highlight the disagreements within the team about the coach's strategy.
The debate over the team's performance has also centered on the impact of the coaching change and the timing of the squad selection. The Ghanaian federation's decision to change coaches just 72 days before the World Cup has been questioned, and the team's performance has been seen as a reflection of this. The team's ability to nearly get through two knockout rounds despite these challenges has been seen as a positive sign.
The lesson from Ghana's World Cup campaign is likely to be more about the timing of the coaching change and the challenges of building a team in a short period. The team's performance has been seen as a hard one to rate, and the federation will need to consider these factors when preparing for the next World Cup cycle. The team's future performance will depend on how these lessons are learned and applied.
Key points
- The timing of the coaching change has been widely criticized, with many believing that it hindered the team's preparation.
