Black Stars defender Jerome Opoku has delivered a defiant message ahead of Ghana’s blockbuster Group L showdown with England, insisting the four-time African champions will not settle for a draw against the European giants—despite widespread suggestions that a single point would be enough to edge them closer to the knockout stages.
‘You Can’t Approach a Game Looking for a Draw’
Speaking after Ghana’s dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama, where Caleb Yirenkyi’s stoppage-time winner sent the team and fans into raptures, Opoku made it clear that the Black Stars are targeting nothing less than three points when they face England at Gillette Stadium in Boston on June 23.
“We won the first game against Panama, and I’ve seen a lot of people saying, ‘Now all we need is a draw.’ For me, the most important thing is you go into every game looking for the three points,” the 27-year-old centre-back declared. “Whatever comes comes, but you can’t approach a game looking for a draw. You need to go in with full confidence”.
‘We Have Great Qualities Too’
Opoku acknowledged England’s formidable reputation—Thomas Tuchel’s side opened their campaign with a commanding 4-2 victory over Croatia—but refused to be intimidated.
“Obviously we know they’ve got good players. They’ve got great quality. But I think as a group, we know our qualities too,” Opoku said. “This is another game for us, and we need to give our full fight like we did against Panama. Die for each other on the pitch”.
The defender stressed that Ghana’s approach remains unchanged regardless of the opponent: “England, Panama, Croatia—we all have the same focus to each game, and we want to get three points, of course”.
Dream Debut and Defensive Resilience
The Panama victory was a personal milestone for Opoku, who made his World Cup debut alongside defensive partner Jonas Adjetey. The duo produced a resolute performance at the heart of Ghana’s backline, frustrating Panama throughout the contest and keeping a vital clean sheet.
“It was a dream come true to play in front of the fans and my family was there. It’s something I dreamed of growing up,” Opoku reflected. “I’m happy to keep a clean sheet with my defenders, the backline and the two goalkeepers. It was a team effort”.
The centre-back, who was born in England and qualifies for Ghana through descent, has been a key figure for Turkish Süper Lig side İstanbul Başakşehir. His performances at both club and international level have strengthened his reputation as one of Ghana’s most reliable defenders.
A Special Group with Healthy Balance
Opoku also spoke passionately about the unity within the Black Stars camp, which features a blend of experienced campaigners and World Cup debutants.
“I think it’s a special group. There’s a lot of different qualities and it all makes us one great team,” he said. “We’ve got experienced guys, people coming for their first World Cup, like me. Young players, senior players. It’s a healthy balance”.
Momentum and Mindset
The stoppage-time winner against Panama has created a palpable sense of belief within the squad.
“When the goal went in, emotions were high. You saw the reactions from the fans, the bench, and even myself. I knee-slided, I didn’t even score, so it was amazing,” Opoku recalled with a smile. “Perfect three points, and that’s set the tone for the games coming”.
The Road Ahead
Ghana currently sit second in Group L behind England, who top the standings after their opening victory. The Black Stars will conclude their group campaign against Croatia on June 27.
For Opoku and his teammates, the message is unmistakable: no fear, no compromise, and no settling for anything less than victory.
“Whatever happens, as long as we know we gave everything on the pitch for the badge, for the country, then that’s all we can do”.
—Additional reporting by [Your Publication Name]
