Queiroz Says Ghana Must Make Africa Proud at World Cup

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz said on Thursday that it is his team’s duty to ensure an African nation reaches the World Cup round of 16. This comes after several African teams faced knockout defeats in past tournaments.

Queiroz, a seasoned coach at his fifth World Cup, led Ghana into the last 32 as one of the best third-placed teams.

Ghana is one of nine African nations that made it past the group stage, out of ten that started the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

But so far, only Morocco has advanced to the last 16. Senegal, Ivory Coast, and DR Congo did not make it.

“It’s another challenge for us,” said Queiroz, whose team will play against Colombia in Kansas City on Friday. “We have to improve these statistics tomorrow.

“We have to make it better. So it is on our shoulders to be sure that we add another African team to the next round. That’s our duty.”

Queiroz, who has managed teams like Colombia before, praised his players for their bravery. He emphasized that they would “fight until the end” to get a good result.

“This is in the DNA of these boys in Ghana,” said the 73-year-old coach, who started his role in April. “There’s nothing that you can build or buy. It is something that is in their blood and they are really great fighters and I’m very proud to be their coach.”

Captain Jordan Ayew reflected on Ghana’s journey to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in South Africa back in 2010.

“It was amazing,” he said. “Obviously those are the moments that we want to bring back to our country.”

Ayew also mentioned that Ghana believes in its chances against the higher-ranked Colombia.

“In football, every game you start is 50-50,” he said. “Tomorrow is going to be another tight game.

“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.”