Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo has opened up on the intense pressure that comes with representing Ghana, describing the emotional highs and lows that follow every Black Stars performance.
As Ghana build towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, the attacker says he is fully aware of the expectations from fans back home, where football is treated with extreme passion and scrutiny.
“I imagine [my family will be watching me in the States], yeah,” Semenyo said. “Mum and Dad will be there, for sure. Uncles and aunties, they will probably be there too to be honest. There’ll be loads of them.”
But beyond family support, Semenyo admits the wider national expectation is far more demanding, with fans expecting near-perfection in front of goal.
“In Ghana, the expectation is that every ball I touch has to be in the back of the net. If it’s not, you’re crap. That’s how they are,” he said. “They love football over there; football is everything, so when we don’t do well, it’s a meltdown. There’s a lot of pressure.”
Semenyo, who made his debut for the Ghana national football team in 2022, has scored three goals in 34 appearances. While his international output has been modest, his reputation at club level has grown significantly.
After a standout spell in the Premier League with Bournemouth, his January move to Manchester City reportedly made him Ghana’s most expensive player, further heightening expectations ahead of the global showpiece.
Ghana have been drawn in a difficult World Cup group alongside Panama, Croatia, and England. With such a challenging lineup, Semenyo is expected to play a key role in attack as the Black Stars aim to go beyond the group stage for the first time in years.
For the forward, however, the mission is clear—embrace the pressure, handle the scrutiny, and deliver when it matters most in the famous black and white shirt.
