Black Stars midfielder Antoine Semenyo has called on his Ghana teammates to be more assertive when dealing with match officials after expressing frustration over controversial decisions during the team’s goalless draw against England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Bournemouth star believes Ghana must do a better job of communicating with referees during crucial moments if they want to avoid being on the wrong end of important decisions as the tournament enters its decisive stage. His comments come ahead of the Black Stars’ final Group L match against Croatia, a fixture that could determine Ghana’s finishing position in the group despite already securing qualification for the Round of 32.
Semenyo admitted that the issue has already been discussed within the squad, with players agreeing they need to be more proactive whenever controversial incidents occur on the pitch.
Ghana Reflects on England Controversies
The Black Stars produced one of their most disciplined performances of the tournament when they held England to a hard-fought 0-0 draw. Ghana frustrated the Three Lions with a compact defensive display, limiting one of the tournament favourites to very few clear-cut opportunities despite England dominating possession.
However, while the defensive performance earned widespread praise, the match also generated plenty of discussion because of several controversial refereeing decisions that left Ghana’s players and coaching staff frustrated.
A number of incidents during the game sparked debate among supporters and football analysts, with questions raised about the consistency of officiating and the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Although none of the disputed moments ultimately changed the final result, Semenyo believes the team could have handled those situations more effectively by ensuring their voices were heard by the match officials.
Semenyo Reveals Team Discussions
Speaking to the media before Saturday’s clash with Croatia, Semenyo revealed that the squad had already addressed the issue during training.
According to the forward, the players agreed they must react quicker whenever they believe an important decision has been missed.
“We actually talked about it in training today. As players, we need to stay close to the referee and make our case,” Semenyo explained.
The Ghana international stressed that communication with referees has become an important part of modern football, especially with VAR playing such a significant role in reviewing incidents.
He believes players must remain composed while also ensuring officials are aware whenever they feel a decision deserves another look.
Forward Frustrated by Missed Reviews
Semenyo also reflected on one of the controversial moments from the England game, revealing that he had an excellent view of the incident and immediately tried to alert the referee.
The striker explained that he reacted instantly because he believed the officials had missed something important.
“I was right next to the incident and put my hand up straight away because I had a clear view. As a team, we need to be more aggressive in those situations,” he said.
The 26-year-old admitted it was frustrating to see the incident pass without further review.
“It’s frustrating because they’ve now failed to check it on two occasions.”
Although Semenyo did not elaborate on every incident, his comments underline the growing concern within the Ghana camp about consistency in the decision-making process during matches.
VAR Debate Continues at the World Cup
The use of VAR has once again become one of the biggest talking points at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While the technology was introduced to reduce clear refereeing mistakes, several decisions during the tournament have continued to divide opinion among players, coaches and supporters.
Many teams have questioned why certain incidents receive lengthy reviews while others appear to be overlooked altogether.
Ghana’s encounter with England added another chapter to that ongoing debate, with several moments prompting calls for further examination.
Semenyo’s remarks suggest the Black Stars believe they must take greater responsibility by ensuring officials are fully aware whenever they feel an incident deserves additional attention.
Focus Shifts to Croatia
Despite the frustration surrounding the England match, Ghana have quickly turned their attention to their final Group L fixture against Croatia.
The Black Stars have enjoyed an encouraging tournament so far, beginning with a narrow 1-0 victory over Panama before earning a valuable point against England.
Those results secured qualification for the Round of 32 and restored confidence within the squad after a difficult period before the tournament.
Now, the objective is to finish the group strongly and carry momentum into the knockout rounds.
Although Ghana only need to maintain their recent high standards, Semenyo believes attention to every small detail could make the difference against another experienced European opponent.
Small Margins Matter
World Cup football is often decided by the smallest of moments, and Semenyo understands that every decision can influence the outcome of a match.
Whether it is a penalty appeal, a dangerous tackle, an offside decision or a possible red card, players know that a single call from the referee can completely change a game.
For that reason, the Ghana forward believes the Black Stars must remain alert throughout every minute of their encounter with Croatia.
He wants his teammates to combine their strong defensive discipline with smarter communication whenever controversial situations arise.
Rather than allowing frustration to take over, Semenyo believes calm but assertive interaction with officials could help ensure Ghana receive fair consideration during key moments.
Ghana Confident Ahead of Knockout Phase
The Black Stars head into the Croatia clash with growing confidence following consecutive impressive defensive performances.
Under head coach Carlos Queiroz, Ghana have developed into one of the tournament’s most organised teams, keeping clean sheets against both Panama and England while showing resilience against quality opposition.
The players have repeatedly spoken about the unity inside the squad, and Semenyo’s comments reflect a team determined to improve every aspect of its performances as the competition progresses.
With qualification already secured, Ghana now have an opportunity to build even more confidence before entering the knockout rounds.
The Black Stars know that stronger communication, tactical discipline and continued teamwork will all be essential if they hope to make a deep run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Semenyo Wants Ghana to Learn From England Match
Rather than dwelling on the controversial decisions against England, Semenyo hopes the experience will help Ghana become even stronger in the matches ahead.
The forward believes every game offers valuable lessons, and he is confident the squad can use those experiences to their advantage.
By staying closer to referees, reacting quicker during contentious moments and remaining united throughout difficult situations, the Black Stars hope to avoid unnecessary frustration in future matches.
As Ghana prepare to face Croatia, Semenyo’s message is clear. The team must continue playing with discipline and determination, but they must also ensure they are more vocal when important decisions are at stake.
With a place in the Round of 32 already secured and confidence growing inside the camp, the Black Stars will aim to finish the group stage on a high while proving they are ready to compete with the very best teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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