Black Stars defender Jerome Opoku has expressed satisfaction with Ghana’s performance in the team’s 1-1 draw against Wales, saying the display provides a strong foundation as preparations continue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana came close to securing victory in Tuesday’s international friendly at the Cardiff City Stadium before a late equaliser from Wales denied the Black Stars a winning start under head coach Carlos Queiroz.
The Black Stars took the lead in the 66th minute through Caleb Yirenkyi, who scored his first goal for the senior national team after coming off the bench.
However, Wales responded deep into stoppage time when Lewis Koumas headed home to earn the hosts a draw.
Despite the disappointing end to the match, Opoku believes there were many positives to take from Ghana’s overall performance.
Speaking after the game, the defender said the Black Stars showed encouraging signs, especially considering the limited time the squad has spent together ahead of the World Cup.
“I thought it was a performance for us to be proud of,” Opoku said. “As the head coach said, we felt we should have won the game. It’s just the little details now, and something to build on given the short time we’ve worked together.”
The defender highlighted the challenge of integrating new players into the squad while adapting to the ideas of a new coach.
According to him, the team’s display against Wales showed that the players are already beginning to understand one another on the pitch.
Opoku stressed that time will be a crucial factor in the team’s development as they continue preparations for football’s biggest tournament.
“The key word is time,” he said. “Considering the amount of time, we’ve had together, with new additions coming in, I was pleased we could put that performance out there. It shows that with more time; we can only get better as a team.”
