Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President George Afriyie has rated Ghana high to distract European powerhouse England in the second Group L fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Following, the Black Stars narrow victory over Panama, George has huge confidence in Ghana’s ability to upset England come Tuesday in the USA.
The stakeholder said he has witnessed enough in football to know that, Ghana should not be underestimated insisting England is beatable.
Speaking on Adom FM, George argued that recent results at the World Cup have demonstrated that traditional football powerhouses are no longer untouchable, making Ghana’s upcoming clash with England a game the Black Stars can approach with confidence.
“At one point, I was the chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee. On two occasions, I led the team to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, and later to the semi-finals. I was also part of the Emergency Committee that followed the team to Brazil,” the former Black Stars Management Committee chairman recounted.
“I have been part of the Black Stars for a very long time and one thing I have realised is that in international football, big names do not always guarantee results.”
According to him, several outcomes at the ongoing World Cup prove that any team can compete with the best on its day.
“We all know the pedigree of Portugal in international football, but if Congo can draw with Portugal, then Ghana can draw with England or even beat them,” he said.
“We all know the pedigree of Brazil, and if Morocco can draw with Brazil, then it can happen in the Ghana-England game as well.”
He also pointed to the performances of all African nations such as Côte d’Ivoire and Egypt as evidence that African teams are capable of competing at the highest level.
“We should not underestimate ourselves. England is beatable,” he stressed.
“These young boys are determined to make history. Whenever I am given the platform to speak about the Black Stars, I will only encourage them. I will say things that can inspire and motivate them. I don’t want to be negative,” he stated.
George added that; “As an administrator, I can only encourage them. Others can discuss and dissect the team, but I choose to inspire them.”
Ghana will face England on Tuesday, June 23 at the Gillette Stadium in Boston.
Following, the Black Stars narrow victory over Panama, George has huge confidence in Ghana’s ability to upset England come Tuesday in the USA.
The stakeholder said he has witnessed enough in football to know that, Ghana should not be underestimated insisting England is beatable.
Speaking on Adom FM, George argued that recent results at the World Cup have demonstrated that traditional football powerhouses are no longer untouchable, making Ghana’s upcoming clash with England a game the Black Stars can approach with confidence.
“At one point, I was the chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee. On two occasions, I led the team to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, and later to the semi-finals. I was also part of the Emergency Committee that followed the team to Brazil,” the former Black Stars Management Committee chairman recounted.
“I have been part of the Black Stars for a very long time and one thing I have realised is that in international football, big names do not always guarantee results.”
According to him, several outcomes at the ongoing World Cup prove that any team can compete with the best on its day.
“We all know the pedigree of Portugal in international football, but if Congo can draw with Portugal, then Ghana can draw with England or even beat them,” he said.
“We all know the pedigree of Brazil, and if Morocco can draw with Brazil, then it can happen in the Ghana-England game as well.”
He also pointed to the performances of all African nations such as Côte d’Ivoire and Egypt as evidence that African teams are capable of competing at the highest level.
“We should not underestimate ourselves. England is beatable,” he stressed.
“These young boys are determined to make history. Whenever I am given the platform to speak about the Black Stars, I will only encourage them. I will say things that can inspire and motivate them. I don’t want to be negative,” he stated.
George added that; “As an administrator, I can only encourage them. Others can discuss and dissect the team, but I choose to inspire them.”
Ghana will face England on Tuesday, June 23 at the Gillette Stadium in Boston.
