‘We will make Ghana and Africa proud’, says Jordan Ayew ahead of Colombia knockout test

Jordan Ayew has issued a personal guarantee on the eve of Ghana’s round-of-32 tie against Colombia at Arrowhead Stadium, telling supporters back home and across the continent that the Black Stars will represent them with pride when they walk out in Kansas City on Saturday midnight.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference alongside head coach Carlos Queiroz, the Ghana captain framed the reset from Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Croatia in Philadelphia as an emphatic one.

That result cost Ghana second place in Group L but with Spain’s prior win over Uruguay had earlier sealed the Black Stars’ progression as one of the eight best third-placed teams, Jordan insisted the group finale was a one-time setback.

“Personally I think the Croatia game was a one-off. Colombia is a knockout game and will be totally different and we’ll be ready for that challenge. It’s a top team and it’s going to be a difficult game but I’m confident that with what the manager has told us we will be ready for the challenge.”

“Tomorrow is going to be another tight game. We’re going to do our best and put on a show and see what will happen. What I can guarantee is that we will make Ghana and Africa proud,” he added.

Ghana were sluggish in the first half against Croatia conceding from a Petar Sučić’s long-range strike before substitute Derrick Luckassen equalised in the 73rd from an Ernest Nuamah free-kick delivery.

Nikola Vlašić then headed home Luka Modrić’s corner in the 83rd to settle the game and, in the process, ensure Ghana slid to third in Group L behind England and Croatia.

Looking ahead to the tie against Colombia, Jordan was upbeat that the fixture had come at the right time for the Black Stars.

“We are ready. We’ve been growing in the tournament. We want to make sure we win.”

A first-ever meeting (A Queiroz reunion)

Saturday’s tie is the first-ever meeting between Ghana and Colombia at any level. It is also, in a neat sub-plot, a Queiroz homecoming.

The Portuguese trainer coached Colombia between February 2019 and December 2020, and the Arrowhead Stadium will host a reunion between him and several of his former internationals.

The pedigree matchup on paper is uncomfortable for the Black Stars. Ghana have failed to win any of their three previous World Cup meetings with South American opposition: a 3-0 defeat to Brazil in 2006, the penalty-shootout heartbreak against Uruguay in 2010 and a 2-0 loss to the same Uruguayans in 2022.

Colombia, by contrast, arrive as Group K winners with a perfect record: three wins from three, including a 1-0 win over DR Congo in their final group game.

Asked about the pressure of facing an-inform Colombia who are unbeated in this tournament, Jordan said: “Everyone will have to show up. We flourish under pressure.”