Carlos Queiroz has the best CV in the history of Ghanian football.
That is why the 73-year-old was appointed to the job less than three months before the start of the World Cup. Queiroz was Sir Alex Ferguson ’s assistant at Manchester United, led Iran to three World Cups, managed Portugal in 2010 and this summer will be his fifth tournament.
The Portuguese also managed Real Madrid and Sporting Lisbon in a wide and varied coaching career which has tanked him around the world.
“I’ve had so many jobs all over the world. But this is not just another job – it’s a mission,’ said Queiroz. And it will be a huge test even for someone of his rich experience. This is a country which reached the World Cup quarter finals in 2010, drew with England at Wembley the following March and expects to be the best nation in Africa.
Michael Essien remains a Ghana legend and one of the best players in the nation’s history but those days are gone. And yet the expectation levels remain the same even though Ghana failed to even reach the last African Cup of Nations.
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They qualified under form boss Otto Addo but the fact he was sacked just 72 days before the start of the World Cup tells its own story. The fans, the players and the whole country had lost patience in Addo and, while he is a former Ghana international, the feeling was that he lacked the technical and tactical ability to lead them into this summer.
But Ghana did not not just appoint Queiroz for his coaching experience but also because he is seen as a diplomat, a good man manager who can rebuild a fractured squad.
They have older players like Jordan Ayew who has been a great servant but the Leicester City striker – a veteran of 120 caps – is 34 and on the way down.
Antoine Semenyo is the future – and he is carrying a nation’s hopes and dreams on his back. Leicester’s Abdul Fatawu is another one to watch. Mohammed Kudus is a sensational talent and it’s a real shame that he is out injured because he can be a game-changer.
But there is a real gap between the older generation and the younger players and that is what Queiroz has been brought in to bridge. That is his mission. They have the talent – but they need a leader.
There were issues with team spirit, senior players having too much power and the dressing room being too cliquey. Queiroz is seen as the nice guy, a man manager as well as coach to bring them together and to unify an underachieving squad.
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The belief in Ghana is that they can get out of their Group despite being in with England. Croatia and Panama. The 1-1 draw with Wales in Cardiff won’t have dampened that belief.
They start against Panama on June 17, face England on June 23 and Croatia four days later.
And here’s the incentive. The whole country is football mad. Kids grow up kicking footballs in the street. It will shut down for all of their games. Schools and shops will be closed.
Plus there is a belief that if they could beat England then a national holiday would be declared. It would be their greatest day – and what they are dreaming of.
If they start well in a winnable game with Panama then they believe that they could squeeze out Croatia and qualify as runners-up. If they could beat England… Failing that, they believe there is a path to qualification in the 48 team tournament.
Man City star Antoine Semenyo is Ghana’s big attacking weapon and will be crucial to their hopes(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
There is no doubt that Semenyo is the main hope and superstar. He was born in London, his father Larry was determined that his son would pledge his future to Ghana rather than England and sure enough he is now proud to represent the Black Stars.
Semenyo grew up in England without the pressure of living in Ghana but that has now changed because he is a superstar in his nation. Now every time he touches the ball, fans expect him to produce some magic.
He plays wide left for Ghana – like he did at Bournemouth – but is a genuinely two-footed player. While he is expected to provide crosses for Erling Haaland at Manchester City, he enjoys cutting in for Ghana to provide some magical moments.
There will be a lot of pressure on Queiroz’s shoulders this summer. But Semenyo will also be carrying the weight of the nation, too.
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