BY Nadia Ntiamoah
Black Stars forward Antoine Semenyo has urged his teammates and Ghanaian supporters to remain grounded following the dramatic victory over Panama, insisting that the team’s attention has already shifted to the crucial challenges that lie ahead in Group L of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The Bournemouth attacker made the remarks after Ghana secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening match at BMO Field in Toronto.
The Black Stars needed a dramatic stoppage-time goal from Caleb Yirenkyi to claim all three points in a contest that appeared destined to end in a goalless draw.
Caleb Yirenkyi’s late strike sparked jubilant celebrations among the players and supporters, handing head coach Carlos Queiroz the perfect start to his World Cup campaign and placing the four-time African champions in a strong position in the race for qualification to the knockout stage.
Despite the significance of the victory, Semenyo believes it is too early for celebration and has cautioned against overconfidence as Ghana prepares for sterner tests against England and Croatia.
The forward, who delivered an impressive performance and was named Man of the Match after the encounter, acknowledged the importance of the victory but stressed that the team remains fully aware of the challenges awaiting them.
Speaking after the game, Semenyo highlighted the quality of England, the next opponents, and emphasised the need for concentration and discipline ahead of one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage.
“We know it’s going to be a tough game,” Semenyo said when asked about the upcoming clash against the Three Lions.
The Ghana international made it clear that the Black Stars are determined to approach the match with humility and focus rather than allowing their opening victory to create a false sense of security.
“We are not going to be ahead of ourselves. We want to win that game, but we know it’s not going to be easy,” he added.
Semenyo’s comments reflect the mood within the Ghana camp following a victory that showcased both resilience and character.
The Black Stars endured a difficult first half against Panama and spent long periods defending before producing a strong second-half response that ultimately earned them victory.
The result leaves Ghana level on points with England, who also began their campaign with a convincing 4-2 victory over Croatia. With both teams securing wins in their opening fixtures, their meeting at Gillette Stadium on June 23 is shaping up to be one of the standout matches of the group stage.
A victory for either side could significantly strengthen their chances of progressing to the knockout rounds, while defeat would place added pressure on the final round of matches.
For Ghana, the stakes are particularly high. The Black Stars are seeking to advance beyond the group stage for the first time since the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where they captured the imagination of football fans around the world by reaching the quarter-finals.
England arrive as one of the tournament favourites and possess a squad filled with Premier League stars and international experience. The Three Lions’ four-goal performance against Croatia demonstrated their attacking quality and reinforced their status as one of the strongest teams in the competition.
However, Ghana will take confidence from its own performance and from a history of producing memorable displays against highly-rated opponents on the World Cup stage.
