Sports analyst, Jerome Otchere, has said the Black Stars’ Head Coach, Carlos Queiroz, has affirmed his belief that he was the sole element that could change the fortunes of the team, going into the FIFA World Cup, 2026.
Otchere, speaking on Ghana Tonight on TV3 on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, indicated that the coach’s approach to the two games played at the Mundial so far, and the results being produced, affirms a position he held prior to the tournament.
According to him, he was certain that if the team was going to put up any positive display at the championship, the Head Coach was going to be the fulcrum around which that success would revolve, which he said the coach has lived up to, so far.
“I said before this competition that if there was anything that could change the fortunes of the Black Stars, it would be the coach. I didn’t think there was any element that could cause a major shift in the way we see the Black Stars than the coach and so far in the two games he has played, it is showing that he is the man to count on if the Black Stars would do anything positive at the competition,” he stated.
The Black Stars have so far put up a defensive masterclass at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, showcasing a solid backline strategy and disciplined performance that has seen them through two group stage matches without conceding a single goal.
Despite being faced with the most shots after the second round of games at the group stages with 30, with Argentina coming close with a fraction 13, the team is yet to concede a goal, and among only four out of the 48 nations participating in this year’s edition.
The praise for the team soared particularly in their goalless draw against England, one of the countries tipped to win the tournament because of the quality they have.
Coach Queiroz praised the team after employing a compact 5-man backline, restricting the Three Lions to long-range efforts and no shots on target in the first half.
Goalkeeper Benjamin Asare played a crucial role, making key saves to keep the English at bay, despite dominating over 70% of the match possession.
England midfielder who plays for Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham, acknowledged the Black Stars’ effective defensive shape, admitting a Ghanaian player rather deserved the “Man of the Match” award that was given to him at the end of the game.
The team had taken all three points against Panama, before securing a point against the Three Lions in their second group game, positioning them at a better place to make it to the knockout rounds ahead of their final group game encounter with 2018 runners up and 2022 semi-finalists, Croatia.
