Black Stars' defensive issues must be urgently addressed â?? Agyemang-Badu

Former Ghana international Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has urged new Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz to make fixing the team’s defence his top priority ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking on Sporty FM’s Sporty Drive, the ex-Udinese midfielder offered a frank assessment of Ghana’s recent struggles.

“I don’t want to put pressure on anyone. Our team, for the past years, we all know we have problems. The problem is not even about attack because in football if you can’t score, you have to defend very well,” Agyemang-Badu said. “The issue about our team is the defence.”

He called on Queiroz to focus on establishing a reliable defensive lineup and restoring the confidence of the backline.

“The first priority of the team is for the coach to solve the defensive lineup. We have the quality. He needs to set the defensive lineup and let the boys gain their confidence back. Some of them, their confidence is a bit down,” he added.

Agyemang-Badu, who was part of Ghana’s 2010 World Cup quarter-final squad, also urged the coach to allow the players to express themselves. “Allow the guys to be free. Enjoy football.”

However, when asked to predict Ghana’s chances at the upcoming tournament in North America, the former Black Stars midfielder was cautious. “For the World Cup, I have to be very frank; I don’t know where we will reach. Let’s see how he will build the team. The kind of players he will bring on board. The kind of identity we will have and the kind of defensive setup he will deploy. But from today, it will be very difficult for me to predict whether quarter-finals or semi-finals, whether we are going for the cup or evicted in the group stage. It will be very difficult for me.”

Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama and will open their campaign against Panama on June 17. Queiroz, who was officially unveiled this week, has already signalled that his immediate target is to win that first match.

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