Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew says Ghana can take encouragement from their defensive structure at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, even as their campaign ended in disappointment with a 1-0 Round of 32 defeat to Colombia.
Speaking after the match in a press conference with Sporty TV, Ayew reflected on the team’s progress under newly appointed head coach Carlos Queiroz, while also acknowledging that the squad is still in transition.
“We have a new manager; he just came two months ago trying to install his style, and people are adjusting. You don’t adjust within one month or two months; football doesn’t work like that.”
“You could see that defensively, we were better, but we fell short a bit offensively, so we have to find the right balance. The manager needs time; he’s a very good manager,” Ayew said.
Ghana’s defeat to Colombia brought an end to their World Cup journey, with Jhon Arias’ early goal proving decisive in Kansas City. Despite a spirited response, the Black Stars were unable to break through a disciplined Colombian defence.
The match could also mark the end of Jordan Ayew’s World Cup career, with the 34-year-old having represented Ghana at three editions of the tournament — 2014, 2022, and 2026.
While the exit is a painful one for the Black Stars, attention now shifts to rebuilding ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where Queiroz is expected to continue reshaping the squad as Ghana look to return stronger on the international stage.
