Ghana captain Jordan Ayew has credited the Black Stars’ patience and resilience for their dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The skipper said the team remained composed throughout a challenging contest, trusting that opportunities would eventually come despite sustained pressure from a spirited Panama side.
Panama enjoyed several promising moments during the first half and created some of the game’s best chances, forcing Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi into a series of crucial saves before he was substituted at halftime following a collision.
With the Central Americans backed by a vocal contingent of supporters, Ghana spent significant periods defending and absorbing pressure. However, the Black Stars maintained their discipline and eventually found the breakthrough deep into stoppage time when Caleb Yirenkyi scored the decisive goal.
Reflecting on the victory, Ayew said the players understood the importance of remaining patient and staying in the game, even when momentum appeared to favour Panama.
“When our chances came, we took them. Obviously, we needed to be patient. We knew they would get tired,” the Ghana captain said after the match.
He noted that difficult periods are a natural part of football and that successful teams are often those capable of managing adversity.
“Obviously, football is like that. Sometimes you have difficult spells, but you just need to stay in the game. That’s what we did,” he explained.
Ayew added that the most important outcome was securing all three points in Ghana’s opening fixture of the tournament.
“At the end of the day, we won the game. That’s the most important thing,” he said.
The victory gives Ghana an early advantage in Group L and provides a significant boost ahead of a crucial encounter against England. The Black Stars will now look to build on their winning start as they continue their quest for a place in the knockout stages of the World Cup.
