Former Ghana international Derek Boateng believes head coach Carlos Queiroz’s team selection played a big part in the Black Stars’ exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after their 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32.
Ghana’s World Cup campaign ended at Kansas City Stadium on Saturday, July 4, after Jhon Arias scored the only goal of the match for Colombia.
The Portuguese coach brought Lawrence Ati-Zigi back into the starting lineup after he recovered from injury, replacing Benjamin Asare. He also left out Jonas Adjetey, who had played well during the group stage, and started Derick Luckassen of Pafos FC instead.
Speaking on GTV SportsPlus, Boateng said Ghana were outplayed, especially in midfield, where they struggled to win loose balls.
“It’s got to be important that the players the coach will choose for the first eleven because I don’t know why Asare didn’t play,” he said.
“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,” Boatengadded.
“And we were just chasing them all the time, and what is sad is that we lost all the second balls in the game.
“We couldn’t win any second balls, and that’s what they were doing; they hurt so much with the second balls, and they pass the ball so easily.”
The former midfielder also questioned the decision to leave Benjamin Asare on the bench, saying team selection is very important in a knockout match.
