Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has criticised Ghana’s approach in their 1-0 defeat to Colombia, insisting the team failed to show the urgency needed to rescue the game after falling behind in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Black Stars bowed out of the tournament after Jhon Arias first-half strike proved enough to send Colombia through to the quarter-finals, ending Ghana’s hopes of extending their campaign.
Reacting after the match, Gyan expressed his disappointment with the team’s response after conceding, saying he expected to see greater determination from the players.
“The way Ghana played today, I don’t like when you are losing and do not show any urgency. It’s frustrating. Show the world you want to win,” the former Sunderland and Al Ain striker said.
Gyan also questioned the tactical changes made during the tournament, arguing that the disciplined approach used in the goalless draw against England should have remained the team’s blueprint.
“In my view, we should have kept playing the way we played against England. It worked for us. If we keep changing tactics during the tournament, there is a problem,” he added.
Ghana impressed defensively against England to earn a valuable point during the group stage before qualifying for the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams. However, they were unable to reproduce that level against Colombia despite enjoying periods of possession.
The defeat brings Ghana’s World Cup journey to an end, while Colombia progress to the quarter-finals, where they will face Switzerland for a place in the last four.