Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew has praised Ghana’s substitutes for helping the team earn a dramatic 1-0 win over Panama in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
After a tough first half in Toronto, coach Carlos Queiroz made changes to the team as Ghana looked for a winning goal. The substitutions made a big difference, with Brandon Thomas-Asante setting up fellow substitute Caleb Yirenkyi, who scored in the 95th minute.
Speaking after the match, Ayew said the players who came on from the bench helped improve the team’s performance.
“The substitutions helped because we knew we had to show our strength,” Ayew told Ghanafa.org.
“The energy level was very high. We played better, we were more aggressive, we fought together as a team and scored the winning goal in the dying minutes. That’s all that matters.”
Ghana found it difficult to keep the ball in the first half as Panama controlled large parts of the game. However, Ayew said the team stayed patient and improved after the break.
“The first half didn’t go as planned, but we were patient. They kept the ball well, and we soaked up the pressure. We looked more composed and direct. In the second half, a lot changed; we grew in confidence and kept possession much better.”
The win gave Ghana three points in Group L and a strong start to the tournament before Tuesday’s match against England.
Even with the victory, Ayew said the team is already focused on the next game.
“We have two important games left. We take it game by game. We are focused on securing the three points in the next match, and after that, we think about the last match.”
“It’s always difficult playing at the World Cup. There are no easy games, but we believe in ourselves, and we feel that anything is possible. The next game is equally important, and we are ready for it.” Continue to More Sports.
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