Former Ghana international Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has delivered a blunt assessment of the Black Stars’ ongoing struggles, insisting that the team’s defensive fragility remains the biggest obstacle to success ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking on Sporty FM’s Sporty Drive, the ex-Udinese Calcio midfielder did not mince words as he reflected on the national team’s recent performances, pointing directly to the backline as the root of Ghana’s inconsistency.
“I don’t want to put pressure on anyone,” Agyemang-Badu said. “But for the past years, we all know we have problems. The issue about our team is the defence.”
His remarks come at a crucial moment for the Black Stars, following the appointment of experienced tactician Carlos Queiroz, who has been tasked with rebuilding a squad that has struggled to find balance between attack and defence in recent competitions.
According to Agyemang-Badu, the Portuguese coach’s immediate priority must be to establish a reliable defensive structure that can restore confidence within the team.
“He needs to set the defensive lineup and let the boys gain their confidence back,” he stressed. “Some of them, their confidence is a bit down.”
The former midfielder, who was part of Ghana’s historic run to the quarter-finals at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, also expressed caution when discussing the team’s prospects at the upcoming tournament in North America.
Drawn in a challenging Group L alongside England national football team, Croatia national football team, and Panama national football team, Ghana face a stern test from the outset, beginning with their opener against Panama on June 17.
Despite the ambitions of coach Queiroz, Agyemang-Badu believes it is premature to predict how far the Black Stars can go, stressing that the team’s identity and defensive cohesion will ultimately determine their fate.
“For the World Cup, I have to be very frank; I don’t know where we will reach,” he admitted. “Let’s see how he will build the team, the kind of players he will bring on board, the identity we will have, and the defensive setup he will deploy.”
