We want three points from every game – Black Stars defender Jerome Opoku

Jerome Opoku, the Black Stars defender who made his World Cup debut in Ghana’s 1-0 victory over Panama, emphasized the team’s unwavering focus on securing three points in every match, regardless of the opponent.

The clean-sheet performance marked a significant milestone for the 24-year-old, who described the experience as a “dream come true” after years of aspiring to represent Ghana on football’s biggest stage. Playing alongside a blend of seasoned internationals and emerging talents, Opoku highlighted the squad’s balanced composition as a key factor in their positive start to the World Cup qualification campaign.

In post-match remarks, Opoku stressed that the victory over Panama was not merely about the result but about establishing a positive mindset for the challenges ahead. “I think the players, the staff, everyone’s happy with the result. I think the three points is the most important thing. And now we feel a good vibe in the training rooms and positive energy, which is what we needed to go into the next game,” he said.

Reflecting on his debut, Opoku noted the support from fans and family in the stands, adding that the team’s collective effort ensured the clean sheet. “It was a dream come true, you know, to play in front of the fans and my family was there. It’s something I dreamed of growing up. And I thought it was a solid performance, you know. I’m happy to keep a clean sheet with my defenders, the backline and the two goalkeepers. So, it was a team effort and we’ve done it,” he stated.

The defender also spoke about the squad’s diversity, noting that the mix of experienced players, first-time World Cup participants, young talents, and senior members creates a healthy dynamic. “I think it’s a special group, you know. There’s a lot of different qualities and it all makes us one great team,” he remarked.

Looking ahead to Ghana’s upcoming match against England, Opoku maintained that the team’s approach remains consistent: treat every game as an opportunity to secure three points. This mindset comes amid discussions about England’s lineup, with reports suggesting that winger Bukayo Saka may not start due to injury, as noted in our previous analysis (/england-winger-saka-unlikely-to-start-against-ghana-what-it-means-for-englands-world-cup-campaign). “So, we’re all happy, we’re all happy. Every game is another game, you know. So England, Panama, Croatia, we all have the same focus to each game, and we want to get three points, of course. So, yeah, we’re going to see how the training goes this week and prepare our best to take all three points for England,” he said, acknowledging England’s quality while expressing confidence in Ghana’s abilities.

Opoku further explained that the team’s philosophy is to aim for victory in each contest rather than settling for draws, a mindset that requires full commitment and belief in their capabilities. “We won the first game against Panama and I’ve seen a lot of people saying now all we need is a draw, but for me the most important thing is you go into every game looking for the three points and then whatever comes, comes. But you can’t approach a game looking for a draw, you know, you need to go in there with full confidence and that’s the most important thing. And then whatever happens, as long as we know we gave everything on the pitch for the badge, for the country, then that’s all we can do.”

The Black Stars’ opening victory has set a positive tone for their World Cup qualification journey, with the team now turning its attention to the England fixture as they continue to pursue their goal of accumulating three points in every match.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE