Former Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has urged new Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz to make solving Ghana’s defensive problems his main focus ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking on Sporty Drive on Sporty FM, the former Udinese Calcio midfielder gave an honest view of the team’s recent struggles.
“I don’t want to put pressure on anyone. Our team, for the past years, we all know we have problems. The problem is not even about attack because in football if you can’t score, you have to defend very well,” Agyemang-Badu said.
“The issue about our team is the defence.”
The 2010 World Cup squad member believes the new coach must build a strong and settled backline to restore belief among the defenders.
“The first priority of the team is for the coach to solve the defensive lineup. We have the quality. He needs to set the defensive lineup and let the boys gain their confidence back. Some of them, their confidence is a bit down,” he added.
Agyemang-Badu, who represented Ghana at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, also advised the coach to give players freedom to enjoy their football.
“Allow the guys to be free. Enjoy football,” he said.
When asked about Ghana’s chances at the tournament in North America, he was cautious about making predictions.
“For the World Cup, I have to be very frank; I don’t know where we will reach. Let’s see how he will build the team. The kind of players he will bring on board. The kind of identity we will have and the kind of defensive setup he will deploy,” he said.
“But from today, it will be very difficult for me to predict whether quarter-finals or semi-finals, whether we are going for the cup or evicted in the group stage. It will be very difficult for me.”
Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama. The Black Stars will begin their campaign against Panama on June 17.
Coach Queiroz, who was officially on Thursday, has already made it clear that winning the opening match is his immediate target.
By: Pascal Amoah
