Former Ghana midfielder Derek Boateng has criticized former Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz over his team selection in Ghana’s 1-0 defeat to Colombia, insisting the tactical choices played a major role in the country’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Black Stars saw their World Cup campaign come to an end in the Round of 32 after Jhon Arias scored the only goal of the match to hand Colombia victory at the Kansas City Stadium.
Boateng, who represented Ghana at the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups, believes Queiroz got his starting lineup wrong, allowing the South Americans to take control of the game from the opening minutes.
The Portuguese coach restored Lawrence Ati-Zigi to the starting XI after his return from injury, replacing Benjamin Asare, while Jonas Adjetey, who had impressed during the group stage, was left out in favour of Derick Luckassen.
Speaking on GTV Sports Plus, Boateng said Ghana failed to impose themselves and spent most of the match reacting to Colombia’s style of play.
“We didn’t play our game from the beginning; the Colombians dictated the game for us; they played the type of game they wanted to play,” Boateng said.
“And we were just chasing them all the time, and what is sad is that we lost all the second balls in the game.
“We couldn’t win any second balls, and that’s what they were doing; they hurt so much with the second balls, and they pass the ball so easily.”
The former midfielder also questioned the decision to leave Benjamin Asare on the bench, stressing that selecting the right players is crucial in a knockout match.
“It’s got to be important that the players the coach will choose for the first eleven because I don’t know why Asare didn’t play,” he added.
“It’s really important with the kind of players you put in this game because it’s not every player you can put in this kind of game.”
Boateng further argued that Ghana had players capable of matching Colombia’s physical intensity but they were not given the opportunity to start.
“You need players who can run, who can match the Colombians, and we had those players on the bench.
“I don’t blame the players; I have to look at the coaching because the coaches, what are they doing there?
“So for me, I feel like from the start of the game we lost already because of the players chosen.”
Colombia’s decisive goal came in the 14th minute through Jhon Arias, and despite Ghana’s efforts in the remainder of the match, the Black Stars could not find an equaliser.
Ghana reached the knockout stage as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams after recording a win over Panama, a draw against England and a defeat to Croatia during the group phase.
Following the World Cup exit, Carlos Queiroz announced his resignation after serving as Ghana’s head coach on a short-term contract, with the Black Stars now shifting their focus to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers beginning in September.
