Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has pointed to the early injury to defender Marvin Senaya as a decisive turning point in Ghana’s 1-0 defeat to Colombia in their World Cup knockout clash.
Senaya was forced off in the opening stages of the first half and replaced by Alidu Seidu, a change that immediately unsettled Ghana’s defensive setup.
Colombia capitalised shortly after the reshuffle, with Jhon Arias finishing off a move to score what proved to be the only goal of the match and send the South Americans into the last 16, where they will face Switzerland.
Speaking after the game, Queiroz said the Black Stars lost their organisation and structure following the enforced substitution.
“The moment Senaya came off, the team did not have the same discipline and organisation. It took Alidu Seidu a few minutes to adjust, and they took advantage of that moment to score,” the 73-year-old said.
The defeat ends Ghana’s World Cup campaign at the knockout stage, marking their first appearance in the round of 32 since their run to the quarter-finals in 2010 in South Africa.
Ghana had advanced from the group stage after finishing third in Group L before exiting at the first hurdle in the knockout rounds.
