Ghana captain Jordan Ayew has called on his teammates to sharpen their finishing and maintain maximum concentration as the Black Stars prepare for a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash against Colombia.
The four-time African champions secured qualification to the knockout stage after finishing third in Group L. Ghana opened their campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panama, followed it with a goalless draw against England, and concluded the group phase with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Croatia.
Their reward is a high-stakes encounter with Colombia, who topped Group K after an impressive unbeaten run that yielded seven points from three matches.
With the tournament entering its decisive phase, Ayew stressed that there is no room for mistakes, warning that every opportunity must be taken in a winner-takes-all contest.
“I have told the guys that we need to stay focused and give our very best because the next game will be different. There is no second chance,” Ayew told Flashscore.com following Ghana’s defeat to Croatia.
The experienced forward also emphasized the need for greater efficiency in front of goal, with the Black Stars expected to face a well-organized Colombian side that has impressed throughout the competition.
Saturday’s meeting will mark the first-ever competitive encounter between Ghana and Colombia at any level, adding further intrigue to what promises to be a fascinating contest.
Kick-off is scheduled for 01:30 GMT on Saturday, July 4, as Ghana seek to book a place in the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since their historic run at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.