Ghana boss Carlos Queiroz said on Thursday it is his team’s «duty» to ensure another African team reaches the round of 16 of the World Cup after a series of knockout defeats for teams from the continent.
The experienced Portuguese, who won their fifth consecutive World Cup, led Ghana to the last 32 as one of the top third-placed teams.
The Blacks Stars were among a record nine African countries to progress from the group stage from the ten that started the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
However, so far only Morocco has taken the next step to the last sixteen, with Senegal, Ivory Coast and DR Congo falling by the wayside.
“It’s another challenge for us,” said Queiroz, whose team plays Colombia on Friday in Kansas City. “We need to improve these statistics tomorrow.
«We have to make it better. So it is on our shoulders to make sure we add another African team to the next round. That is our duty.»
The Portuguese veteran, whose previous international management stints include a spell with Colombia, praised the bravery of his players and said they would “fight to the end” for a result.
“This is in the DNA of these guys in Ghana,” says the 73-year-old, who was only appointed in April. “There is nothing you can build or buy.
“It’s something that’s in their blood and they’re really great fighters and I’m very proud to be their coach.”
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Captain Jordan Ayew recalled Ghana’s participation in the 2010 World Cup quarter-final in South Africa.
“It was great,” he said. “These are of course the moments we want to bring back to our country.”
He said Ghana saw its chances against higher-ranked Colombia.
“In football, every game you start is 50-50,” he said. “Tomorrow will be another exciting match.
“Listen, we are going to do our best, we are going to put on a show and we will see what will happen. But what I can guarantee is that we will definitely make Africa proud and Ghana proud.”
Published on July 3, 2026
