Former Black Stars midfielder Derek Boateng has questioned Ghana’s team selection and tactical approach following the country’s exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the hands of Colombia.
Ghana’s campaign ended in the Round of 32 after a 1-0 defeat, with the Black Stars struggling to assert themselves against the South Americans.
Speaking on GTV Sports+, the former Getafe, Fulham and Rayo Vallecano midfielder said Colombia controlled the match from the start while Ghana failed to match their intensity and physicality.
Boateng pointed to Ghana’s inability to win second balls as a key reason Colombia dominated possession and created dangerous attacking opportunities.
He also argued that the Black Stars had players capable of matching Colombia’s energy but criticised the coaching staff for not selecting them from the start.
“We didn’t play our game from the beginning; the Colombians dictated the game for us. They played the type of game they wanted to play,” Boateng said.
“We couldn’t win any second balls, and that’s what they were doing. They hurt us a lot with the second balls, and they passed the ball easily.”
The former midfielder believes the coaching decisions played a major role in the outcome.
“You need players who can run and match the Colombians, and we had those players on the bench. I don’t blame the players; I have to look at the coaching because that’s what coaches are there for. For me, we lost from the start because of the players chosen.”
Boateng’s comments have reignited debate over Ghana’s tactical approach and team selection, with calls growing for a thorough assessment of the Black Stars’ performance following another disappointing World Cup campaign.
About The Author
