Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo has insisted the Black Stars will not allow their opening World Cup victory to breed complacency as they prepare for a crucial Group L encounter against England.
The Black Stars began their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panama, securing three valuable points thanks to a late winner.
That result leaves Ghana in a strong position heading into their second group match, but Semenyo says the squad remains fully aware of the challenge that awaits against one of the tournament favourites.
England also opened their campaign with victory, defeating Croatia 4-2 to set up a potentially decisive meeting between the two sides on June 23.
Speaking after Ghana’s win over Panama, Semenyo stressed that the team would remain focused and disciplined despite the positive start.
“We know it’s going to be a tough game.
“We feel like we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves. We know we want to win that game. But we know it’s not going to be easy.
“So make sure we recover well. And make sure we train well leading up to that weekend.”
The Bournemouth forward’s comments reflect a cautious approach within the Ghana camp as Carlos Queiroz’s side seek to build on their opening success.
While victory over Panama provided an important platform for the Black Stars, England present a significantly different challenge, boasting one of the most talented squads in the competition.
A positive result against the Three Lions would strengthen Ghana’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages, while defeat could leave qualification hanging in the balance heading into the final group match against Croatia.
For now, however, Semenyo’s focus remains on preparation, with the forward emphasizing the importance of recovery and training in the days leading up to the encounter.
The Group L clash is expected to be one of the standout fixtures of the second round of matches, with both teams looking to take a major step towards securing a place in the last 32.
