Round of 32 reality check for a lethargic Black Stars – Napoleon Ato Kittoe writes

KANSAS CITY, MO — June 29, 2026

A slightly lethargic Ghana Black Stars failed to glitter when it mattered most in the football mundial, unable to match the pace of the Colombians in their round of 32 World Cup tie in the city of Kansas. The Ghana side, very low on goals in the tournament as well as conceding a few, had been read and placed in that pigeonhole, and that made opponents come to them with their tails up.

Colombia dismissed the cagey gamers and put their mobile attack on show. The Ghana defence, which perhaps did not anticipate the level of pressure to come from the South Americans, went into vertigo and caved in. The defender near the crosser of the ball deep in Ghana territory failed to harass the Colombian, and so he was able to release the cross. Poor interposition on the part of Ghana in the 18-yard box aided the pressure as Jhon Arias applied the final touch in the 14th minute to break Ghana.

Lawrence Ati Zigi in post for Ghana pulled some dramatic saves to keep the scores low. Again, technical overruling of marginal offsides kept the scores as they are. The big clash did not see Ghana arrive at the party for the team lacked the capacity to run at the Colombians. In the post-match highlights, made to showcase hair-raising moments, only one shot from the boot of midfielder Thomas Partey troubled Colombia but went wide.

In this fast-paced game, Ghana would rue the absence of ball jugglers who could pin opponents down to attract infringements. Colombia advanced to next stage to face Switzerland while Ghana boards next available flight to the drawing board. The Ghana team is not bad. It requires training and consistency to pick up and join the table of the big boys of football. The team needs dare-devils like Argentina’s Lionel Messi or the Frenchman Mbappe to be felt.

Fellow Africans Cape Verde, Senegal, and Morocco provide a mixed bag of results but bound by the thread of a consistent approach to football development, gave opponents and the soccer fraternity colic problems. Senegal was unfazed and replied huge opponents with goals. Cape Verde was not awed by any team, but rather produced stellar football of resilience. At this 2026 World Cup, Morocco proved that its semis accolade in the previous tournament was no fluke, and the mention of their names causes fear and panic.