Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew has called on Ghanaians to keep faith in the national team following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Croatia, insisting the players remain focused on the bigger objective of progressing deep into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The loss in Ghana’s final Group L fixture brought the Black Stars’ unbeaten run in the tournament to an end. However, the result did not affect their qualification for the Round of 32, having already secured enough points from their earlier performances to advance to the knockout stage.
Speaking after the match, Ayew admitted Ghana fell short of its usual standards but expressed confidence that the team would quickly recover from the setback.
“We stay positive and on to the next game. Today was a weird game. We were a bit sloppy, and they (Croatia) capitalized on our mistakes.”
The skipper described the defeat as a valuable lesson rather than a major setback, saying the team would analyse its mistakes and work to improve ahead of the knockout rounds.
Ayew maintained that morale within the squad remains high despite the disappointing result, stressing that the players are united and determined to produce stronger performances when the competition resumes.
Ghana had already put itself in a strong position by defeating Panama in its opening match before earning a hard-fought draw against England, results that ultimately guaranteed progression before the final group encounter.
Although Croatia claimed victory in Philadelphia, the Black Stars still advanced alongside England, with attention now turning to the Round of 32 and the challenge of facing Columbia.
Ayew believes the Croatia defeat will sharpen the team’s focus and serve as a timely reminder of the standards required to compete at the highest level, where every mistake can prove costly.
With qualification secured, the Black Stars will now look to put the disappointment behind them and rediscover the form that earned them a place in the knockout stage as they continue their quest for World Cup glory.
