Queiroz Praises Black Stars’ Rapid Adaptation After Wales Draw
Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has commended his players for quickly embracing his tactical ideas despite having minimal time to work together before Ghana’s friendly clash against Wales.
The Portuguese manager made the remarks after Ghana secured a 1-1 draw in Cardiff in a preparatory match ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The encounter marked Queiroz’s first game in charge since taking over in April and provided an early glimpse of his influence on the team.
With several players arriving late to camp due to club commitments, the former Portugal and Real Madrid coach had limited opportunities to train with his full squad before facing Wales.
Despite those challenges, Queiroz was encouraged by how effectively the players implemented his instructions on the pitch.
“We received (in camp) nine players yesterday, they arrived from London. We had been training with nine, 11 players and it was only yesterday that we had one training session (with the full squad).”
The coach admitted that preparations had been far from ideal but was pleased by the commitment shown by his squad throughout the match.
“What pleased me a lot was the way that the players answered my instructions. My game plan; they followed, they respected, they trusted the game plan.”
Queiroz made extensive changes during the contest as he assessed his options ahead of the World Cup. Both Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Benjamin Asare were given opportunities in goal, while several outfield players were rotated throughout the game.
The Black Stars showed signs of progress under their new coach, producing a disciplined display and coming close to securing victory before Wales struck a late equaliser.
For Queiroz, the most significant takeaway was not the result but the willingness of the players to absorb and execute his tactical approach within a short period.
Ghana will now turn its attention to the World Cup, where the four-time African champions have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama.
The Black Stars will begin their campaign against Panama before taking on England and Croatia as they seek to advance to the knockout stages and improve on their previous World Cup performances.
