Ghana arrive at the World Cup two months after the shock appointment of Carlos Queiroz and legal woes surrounding Thomas Partey, but the Black Stars fought valiantly on the field and will now face Colombia in the last 16 on Friday in Kansas City.
Queiroz expressed disappointment at the defensive errors that led to Ghana’s 2-1 defeat to Croatia in their last game – their only defeat of the tournament. Earlier, the Black Stars beat Panama 1-0 and drew 0-0 with England and were also very solid at the back.
The Black Stars entered the tournament without one of their talismanic figures, Tottenham Hotspur player Mohamed Qudus, due to injury. Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey, a former Arsenal player, missed the win over Panama after being denied entry following allegations of rape and sexual assault in the UK. Partey, for his part, denies any wrongdoing.
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Queiroz had a lot to overcome, but he still found his best lineup. However, Ghana kept clean sheets in their first two games and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty for Ezri Konsa’s challenge on Prince of Hell against England. If they had been given a penalty, it would have been a great opportunity to get a perfect six points from their first two games.
It didn’t happen, but Ghana finished third in Group L and faced Colombia, who topped Group K ahead of Queiroz’s home country Portugal.
Ironically, Queiroz managed Colombia in the 2019-20 season, losing 3-0 at home to Uruguay and thrashing Ecuador 6-1, ultimately rendering his position untenable.
Both Colombia and Queiroz bounced back and will now cross paths again in Kansas City where they will advance to the round of 16 with either Switzerland or Algeria on the line.
Thomas Partey had a turbulent World Cup campaign off the field, but Ghana performed reasonably well. Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Key details
Date: Friday, July 3, 7:30 pm in Kansas City (July 4, 1:30 GMT, 2:30 BST, 3:30 CAT)
Venue: Kansas City Stadium (also known as Arrowhead), Kansas City
How to watch: The match is available on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK. FOX holds English broadcast rights in the United States, and the match is available on Telemundo for Spanish-language coverage and Fubo for streaming.
In most of sub-Saharan Africa, SuperSport owns the broadcast rights.
SportyTV is available for streaming, including in Ghana, and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has secured free-to-air rights for the tournament.
The rights holders of the World Cup in Colombia are Caracol, RCN and Win Sports.
Team news
Carlos Queiroz continues to tinker with his Ghana starting line-up in search of the perfect team. One of the main points of contention is the goalkeeper spot, which was originally given to Lawrence Ati-Zigi for the Black Stars’ first half against Panama, but since he came on at half-time of that game, it has been held by Benjamin Asare due to Ati-Zigi’s minor injury.
Asare had a great tournament, so he retained his place in goal. However, after conceding two goals against Croatia, the game against Colombia could be a test of how much Queiroz really supports him as his number one.
Antoine Semeño picked up a knock against Croatia but indications are it was not particularly serious and he is expected to play against Colombia.
Antoine Semenyo picked up a knock after Ghana’s defeat to Croatia but is expected to play against Colombia. Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Expected lineups
Colombia
GC Camilo Vargas
L.B. Daver Machado | CB John Lucumi | CB Davinson Sanchez | RB Santiago Arias
CM Gustavo Puerta | CM Jefferson Lerma | CM John Arias
LW Luis Diaz | ST John Cordova | RW James Rodriguez
Ghana
GK Benjamin Asare
L.B. Gideon Mensah | CB Derrick Lucassen | KB Jonas Adjetey | RB Marvin Senaya
CM Caleb Jirenki | CM Thomas Partey | CM Isahaku Fatu
L.V. Ernest Nuama | St. Jordan’s Day | RW Antoine Semeño
Statistics
Colombia’s James Rodriguez has scored six goals and provided four assists in 11 World Cup matches since making his tournament debut in 2014.
Ghana right-back Marvin Senaya won 24 of his 38 World Cup matches, according to Flashscore.