The Ghana – Panama match delivered one of the most iconic wins we’ve seen at this World Cup.
Ghana defeated Panama in the 95th minute of play; during the fifth minute of the scheduled 6-minute extra time.
Panama was one of those popular countries at the Miss World Pageant while most of us were still growing. A name which was often equated to effortless Beauty (not sure where they stood in terms of playing soccer).
Ghanaians closely marked time in anticipation for our World Cup Opener with Panama. Everywhere, both at home and in the diaspora, fans were clad in the popular Ghanaian jerseys. Ghana’s 2:1 win over Czech Republic in Germany 2006, and overall performance in South Africa 2010 gave us confidence (Most people are familiar with Ghana’s heartbreak with Uruguay ‘suarez’-ing our World-Cup Semi-Finals prospect.
After a benign and an unexciting first half during the Panama match, some drama was finally injected in, when Ghana’s No. 10, Brandon Thomas Asante went into Beast mode, eluding all the defenders on the Panama side. An accurate pass from the right-hand side of Panama’s goal post narrowly missed Striker Antoine Semenyo but found Caleb Yirenkyi in the right place, at the right time, and with the right tap, and just the right strength. Thus Ghana scored their first goal at the 2026 World Cup. Yirenkyi (In parallels, wears the No. 3 jersey with Ghana’s Striker Asamoah Gyan), a 20-year-old, a Science whiz, the son of a renowned Carpenter, and a World Cup debutant, booked yellow in the first half for an unhealthy tackle, but making it all count at the eleventh hour, playing the ball right into a waiting net.
And somewhat changed Ghana’s destiny in a brilliant turn of events at our 2026 World Cup Opener, prompting an instinctive dance response from the VIP stands by the Vice President of Ghana; Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman.
And just like that, a team considered a-not-so-strong side, secured our much needed 3-points. Often times, the end simply justifies the means.
Kudos to Ghana, and best of luck in our next game against England.
