Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang celebrates Black Stars' late winning goal
via GhanaWeb5 min read
Ghana's senior men's national football team, the Black Stars, secured a 1-0 victory against Panama in their first game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the BMO Field in Toronto, Canada. Caleb Yirenkyi scored the winning goal in the 95th minute. Viral videos captured the reactions of various personalities, including the Vice President of Ghana, Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, who was present at the stadium. She was seen dancing and celebrating enthusiastically from the stands after the final whistle. Before the match, the Vice President had visited the players at their team hotel to wish them well.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Ghanaians are celebrating after the Black Stars secured a 1-0 victory against Panama in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Caleb Yirenkyi's late goal sealed the win, sparking widespread celebrations among fans both in Ghana and abroad. Head coach Carlos Queiroz praised his team's determination and tactical discipline, stating, "We battled like warriors. We won the game with our brains. First we had to suffer against a great team." Social media platforms were filled with videos of jubilant supporters singing, dancing, and engaging in street parties and humorous skits to express their excitement. The victory is seen by many as a statement of resilience and a strong start to Ghana's World Cup campaign. The Black Stars are now preparing to face England in their next Group L encounter.
Ghana's head coach, Carlos Queiroz, commended his players for their resilience and tactical discipline following the Black Stars' 1-0 victory against Panama in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Caleb Yirenkyi scored a stoppage-time goal at Toronto Stadium, securing all three points for Ghana in Group L. Queiroz stated that his team "battled like warriors" and won with their brains, emphasizing their strategy to absorb pressure from Panama. Despite Panama dominating possession with 65 percent and creating more chances, Ghana remained organized and executed their game plan effectively. This win gives Ghana a strong start to their World Cup campaign, placing them second in Group L behind England, who defeated Croatia 4-2. Ghana is scheduled to play England on June 23, 2026, while Panama will face Croatia.
Must ReadGhana's senior men's national football team, the Black Stars, won their first game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the BMO Field in Toronto, Canada. The Black Stars achieved a 1-0 victory against Panama, with Caleb Yirenkyi scoring the lone goal deep into stoppage time. Yirenkyi's 95th-minute strike came after Brandon Thomas-Asante collected the ball, beat his marker, and set up the unmarked Yirenkyi at the back post. The Black Stars faced challenges in the first half, with Panama creating early opportunities. Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi kept Ghana in the game before an injury forced him off at the start of the second half, replaced by Benjamin Asare. Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz made substitutions in the second half, introducing Brandon Thomas-Asante and Fatawu Issahaku, which revitalized the team's attack.