Queiroz admits Ghana had to 'suffer' in late victory over Panama

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz.
Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz.REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz ⁠said wins in this World Cup came at a high ‌price and that his players had shown ‌they were ready to pay ‌it after the West African country overcame ‌Panama 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time ‌goal on Wednesday.

Queiroz brushed aside questions about the absence of midfielder Thomas ‌Partey from the game due ⁠to ‌a Canadian travel ban and visa issues.

"With ​the football we played today we can count on Ghana ​to do something," he told reporters.

Queiroz, 73, was not scheduled to go ⁠to the ​tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States until April when Ghana appointed him in place of ‌Otto Addo, fired in March after a series of disappointing results.

The Portuguese, however, complained about the rough handling of Ghana players by the Panamanian side, and said his team were "naive and not aggressive in the first half."

Ghana had to replace goalkeeper ‌Ati Zigi at halftime following ​a collision.

"Not sure," Queiroz said about ‌Zigi's availability for the next game against England. "It is early and this kind of injury it is only after 24 to ⁠48 hours ⁠we can be ‌sure."

FIFA World Cup 2026

The 2026 World Cup will be held from June 11th to July 19th in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament will feature 48 national teams and will be played in 16 modern stadiums.

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