By Emmanuel Fletcher 
The Black Stars’ brilliant 2026 World Cup run just ended in a painful 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32. Ghana fought like lions on Saturday, but the stubborn South American defense refused to break.
Right after the final whistle, fans started asking heavy questions. Why didn’t Brandon Thomas-Asante get even one minute on the pitch when we desperately needed an equalizer?
Head coach Carlos Queiroz quickly defended his tactical choices to the press. He explained that the striker was utilized exactly when the team needed him most throughout the tournament, playing only when it was strictly necessary.
Many local supporters are still not buying it, arguing that Thomas-Asante’s physical power and direct running style could have changed the game. When you look at FIFA tournament stats, knockout games usually require sudden, aggressive tactical shifts to break a deadlock.
Queiroz chose to stick to his structured game plan instead of throwing on extra attackers. While the tactical logic makes sense to football purists, it is cold comfort for millions of Ghanaians mourning a missed quarter-final ticket.
Also Read: Ghana Kicked Out, loses to Colombia 0:1 in the round of 32