Ati Zigi impresses.
Partey looks lost.
Nuamah proves why he was included.
Ghanaians got the opportunity to see what new head coach Carlos Queiroz can do with the Black Stars as his new side secured a 1-1 draw at Cardiff City Stadium against Wales.
All eyes were on the Black Stars after a disastrous run of five consecutive friendly losses in Asia, Europe and North America. Japan, South Korea, Austria, Germany and Mexico had all beaten Ghana since the team defeated Comoros in the last game in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Football fans across Ghana were interested in Carlos Queiroz’s squad announcement, tactics and plans for the team ahead of the friendly against Wales.
Carlos Queiroz started with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lawrence Ati Zigi getting the nod ahead of Hearts of Oak’s Benjamin Asare. Ati Zigi showed why he is fighting with Asare for the number one slot as he made two crucial saves, denying Kieffer Moore in the first half.
Since Ghana has lost the favourite centre-back pairing of Salisu Mohammed and Alexander Djiku to injuries, Queiroz needed to form a new one with a few weeks left before the Panama opener. Jonas Adjetey and Jerome Opoku looked so good in the role as if they had been playing together for at least two years. Wales’ towering striker Kieffer Moore, who loves playing with his back to defenders, was handled pretty well due to the immense physique of the two centre-backs.
Marvin Senaya looked like the real deal for Ghana at the right-back position after running down the wings with much swagger. The energy and athleticism the 25-year-old Auxerre full-back showed was epic. He will likely start against Panama in Ghana’s first game even though Stoke City’s Sorba Thomas looked to threaten him at times.
Daniel James, former Manchester United winger, was Wales’ brightest figure in attack after constantly leaving behind Gideon Mensah, who manned Ghana’s left-back position. David Brooks and Daniel James tried to overload Mensah as he struggled a little bit to deal with the pace of James. Gideon Mensah showed his calmness anytime he was on and off the ball.
In Ghana’s midfield, Thomas Partey was booed by the Welsh fans whenever he touched the ball. The former Arsenal man is the most experienced among Ghana’s midfielders, and a lot is expected of him. Skipper for Wales, Ethan Ampadu and Bolton’s Josh Sheehan had enough room to operate against Ghana. Partey looks lost in the role, psychologically. His partner, Elisha Owusu, 28, showed glimpses that he is in to compete with Caleb Yirenkyi for a slot in the double pivot role. Owusu’s heatmap shows that he could be an asset in covering ground for the team.
In the attack, both flanks looked encouraging as Issahaku and Sulemana exhibited their pacey and tricky nature. The duo love to zoom past their opponents and cut in. Fatawu Issahaku looks certain to start on the right side while Sulemana may make way for Semenyo due to his poor decision-making in the final third, as he showed on Wales’ right-hand side.
Jordan Ayew revisited his old days by trying so hard to do everything by himself in attack. The veteran striker will be expected to lead the attack, so he will need to improve upon the performance against Wales.
Wales ‘ centre-back pairing of Dylan Lawlor and Joe Rodon were not occupied much by Jordan Ayew. The centre-backs had enough freedom, especially in the first half. Adu Kwabena looked sharper and fitter against Wales’ defence. He was switching positions with Sulemana and Jordan in the attack.
Carlos Queiroz had immense power on the bench as the introduction of Ernest Nuamah changed the attacking plans of the game. The Lyon forward, who recently returned from a long-term injury, was a threat for Coventry City’s left back Josh DaSilva, who was arguably the man of the match. The Lyon forward suffocated the entire left side of Wales, with Sheehan, Lawlor and Thomas finding it difficult to handle him. Nuamah’s move resulted in Yirenkyi scoring the first goal for Ghana after he had dribbled through the Wales midfield and defence with blistering pace and determination.
Ghanaians were not in support of Nuamah’s inclusion because he just returned from a career-threatening injury which kept him out of almost the entire season. However, he showed everyone why he is highly protected.
Semenyo, Anang, Luckassen, Peprah and Boakye were the only players who did not taste a single minute in the game against Wales.
Queiroz had the opportunity to assess his team for the first time, and another friendly game would have been great ahead of the Panama opener. “One training session is better than zero, two better than one, three better than two. We will do as much work as possible before the first game against Panama. We have to be very straightforward, have cooperation, an open mind and heart to improve and progress. It’s not time to make big changes; it’s time to tune what they have been doing well and make things better”, Carlos Queiroz said after the games.
Wales, through Liverpool’s 20-year-old Koumas, equalised in the additional time to deny Ghana a first win in six games.
