Former Ghana captain, Charles Akonnor, has praised the Black Stars for their disciplined performance in their 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, he said the team showed strong tactical discipline, especially in their defensive work without the ball.
“I think they did well in the sense that they covered a lot of areas. They played very well without the ball,” he said.
Akonnor noted that the players worked extremely hard and deserved credit for their effort throughout the match.
“When you work so hard, sometimes you are rewarded,” he added.
He also praised the timing of Ghana’s late winner, describing it as a perfect moment in the game.
“The time they got the goal was very good for us. The match was almost over,” he said.
According to him, the team’s willingness to sacrifice and support each other was key to the victory.
“They sacrificed a lot in terms of running and covering for each other,” he stated.
Akonnor further said the win is an important confidence boost for the squad as they prepare for their next group match.
“I always say you have to start well by winning, and I think this is a motivation. They go into the next match knowing they have won their first game, and it is an encouragement for them,” he said.
He admitted that most of the players have limited World Cup experience but praised their character and determination.
“Majority of the players have not had too much experience at the World Cup, only a few have. But they showed character, and that is what I admire about the team,” he noted.
Ghana secured a 1-0 win over Panama after a stoppage-time strike from Caleb Yirenkyi, assisted by Brandon Thomas-Asante, in the 95th minute.
ALSO READ:
The night a nation refused to break: Ghana vs Panama game
2026 WC: Caleb Yirenkyi’s stoppage-time strike hands Ghana dramatic win over…
