As World Cup preparations go, a 1-1 draw with Wales on an overcast Tuesday evening in Cardiff is far from ideal. For Carlos Queiroz and Ghana, that is just about your lot.
This once-great tournament team has faded somewhat since winning the Africa Cup of Nations four times between 1963 and 1982, but they are generally good value for a World Cup run worth watching. On balance of the last three months, this year will be no different.
That much was made evident on March 31, just 79 days before the Black Stars were due to face Panama in their World Cup opener, when the Ghanaian FA announced the sacking of then-manager Otto Addo following a five-match losing run.
Exactly two weeks later, the journeyman coach Queiroz, formerly an assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and head coach at Real Madrid, was confirmed as his successor.
In signing, he took on one of the greatest firefighting missions in World Cup history. He had just over two months and one friendly in Wales to get to grips with a middling squad, before being thrown in the deep end, joining England, Croatia and Panama in Group L.
Whether Queiroz is the right man for the job is a tricky question to answer. His sole Real campaign ended trophyless after a dramatic late-season capitulation, though he is remembered as a steadying hand in the backroom at United. Ferguson himself dubbed him “outstanding. An intelligent, meticulous man. A Rottweiler.” He was the only member of the great Scot’s staff to stand up to Roy Keane, and later impressed in spells in charge of Iran and Egypt.
And he has made promising early progress with the Black Stars. Facing Wales, Ghana were lively and direct, if scrappy and defensively unconvincing. Nordsjaelland’s Caleb Yirenkyi, utilised as a full-back by Addo, was restored to his natural midfield role and impressed. St Gallen shotstopper Lawrence Ati-Zigi was handed a chance between the sticks and produced some remarkable saves, though he was pushed into more prominent staging by a badly disorganised defence.
Those are not Queiroz’s only problem positions. Elder statesman Jordan Ayew, 34, remains the best option at centre-forward despite scoring just six times in 42 league appearances this season. Vice-captain Thomas Partey remains a central figure despite continuing to fight multiple rape allegations in Southwark Crown Court, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
And yet, there is plenty of cause for optimism. Yirenkyi’s goal against Wales was the product of grim determination, crafted by Ernest Nuamah‘s driving run and eventually buried at the third time of asking after Ghana twice hit the woodwork.
He broke the accepted friendly convention with a ferocious celebration, knee-sliding towards an empty corner of the Cardiff City Stadium as team-mates followed suit. Back in the dugout, Queiroz bore a steely smirk and shared solemn handshakes with his assistants.
The Black Stars were lacking in training-ground drill before their flying visit to south Wales, and, while Lewis Koumas’ equaliser dulled the mood slightly, it is undeniable Queiroz has promptly restored some positivity to a side which was held goalless in three of its previous five outings and failed to qualify for AFCON for the first time since 2004. That may prove vital on the global stage.
This all begs the question, how do Thomas Tuchel and England prepare to line up against the Black Stars on matchday two? How different a side will they be after a two-week training camp, during which Manchester City phenom Antoine Semenyo joined up?
Margins for error will not be quite so fine this year as in World Cups of old, but England still can ill-afford a slip-up in the group stage.
Ghana, meanwhile, can benefit from keeping cards close to their chest. Lean into the unknown quantity billing, and they could catch England and Croatia out.
Queiroz has not yet committed to leading the Black Stars beyond this summer - “Let’s leave the future in God’s hands,” he said - but his short-term mission is clear. Ghana have impressed at World Cups past, and he stands to write himself into football folklore by repeating the feat.
