Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President George Afriyie has expressed confidence in the Black Stars’ ability to upset England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that the three-time African champions should not underestimate themselves.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Afriyie said recent results at the World Cup have demonstrated that traditional football powerhouses are no longer untouchable, making Ghana’s upcoming clash with England a game the Black Stars can approach with confidence.
Drawing from his years of experience with the national team, Afriyie said he has witnessed enough in football to know that reputations alone do not win matches.
“At one point, I was the chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee. On two occasions, I led the team to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, and later to the semi-finals. I was also part of the Emergency Committee that followed the team to Brazil,” he recounted.
“I have been part of the Black Stars for a very long time and one thing I have realised is that in international football, big names do not always guarantee results.”
According to him, several outcomes at the ongoing World Cup prove that any team can compete with the best on its day.
“We all know the pedigree of Portugal in international football, but if Congo can draw with Portugal, then Ghana can draw with England or even beat them,” he said.
“We all know the pedigree of Brazil, and if Morocco can draw with Brazil, then it can happen in the Ghana-England game as well.”
Afriyie also pointed to the performances of African nations such as Côte d’Ivoire and Egypt as evidence that African teams are capable of competing at the highest level.
“We should not underestimate ourselves. England is beatable,” he stressed.
The former football administrator said he is encouraged by the determination within the current Black Stars squad and believes the players are eager to write their names into Ghana’s football history.
“These young boys are determined to make history. Whenever I am given the platform to speak about the Black Stars, I will only encourage them. I will say things that can inspire and motivate them. I don’t want to be negative,” he stated.
Afriyie added that while critics are free to analyse and scrutinise the team’s prospects, his responsibility as a former football administrator is to rally support behind the players.
“As an administrator, I can only encourage them. Others can discuss and dissect the team, but I choose to inspire them.”
He also reiterated his belief that midfielder Thomas Partey should start against England, describing the Arsenal star as a player whose experience and mentality could prove decisive.
“There is a psychological aspect to football,” he noted.
To support his argument, Afriyie referenced former Black Stars midfielder Laryea Kingston, who resigned from his role with Ghana’s youth teams before later taking charge of Uganda’s youth national teams and securing a memorable victory against Ghana.
“Nobody knows tomorrow. It is only God who knows tomorrow,” he said. “Laryea Kingston resigned because he believed in his abilities. Later, he became coach of Uganda’s Under-17 and Under-20 teams and got the opportunity to face Ghana. That was his payback time.”
Drawing parallels with Partey’s current situation, Afriyie maintained that the midfielder possesses the character and quality to rise to the occasion when Ghana faces England.
“For me, the Partey I know, the one who played as a midfielder for Arsenal, will make a difference in the England game. What is going on will not shake him.”
With confidence growing ahead of the highly anticipated encounter, Afriyie believes the Black Stars have every reason to believe they can challenge England and create another memorable chapter in Ghana’s World Cup history.
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