Jerome Opoku, the Ghanaian footballer, marked a pivotal moment in his career by making his full competitive debut for the Black Stars during their dominant 3-0 victory over Madagascar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
This game wasn’t just a routine win for Ghana—it was a deeply personal milestone for Opoku, who had long dreamed of playing for his country in a competitive match.
At 26, Opoku had previously represented Ghana in friendlies against teams such as the USA, Nigeria, and Uganda.
However, it was the chance to make his first-ever competitive start that had eluded him until this match.
His brief 10-minute cameo against Chad was a precursor, but it was against Madagascar, just days later, when he was thrust into the starting lineup after just one training session.
Speaking to Flashscore, Opoku described it as the realization of a lifelong dream.
“It’s always been a dream and a privilege to wear the national colors and defend the nation,” he said. “I’ve been waiting for the chance to contribute to the team, and today, I got that chance.”
Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, made a tactical adjustment, shifting from a 4-1-4-1 formation, used in the 5-0 win over Chad, to a 3-5-2 formation against Madagascar.
This change opened the door for Opoku to step into the starting lineup. Speaking to Flashscore, he shared, “I was a little surprised to start, but I had always worked hard for this moment. I hope I didn’t disappoint anyone, and I’m happy to finally make my full competitive debut for my country.”
Standing at 6’5″, Opoku adapted seamlessly to the three-back system, which he was familiar with from his time at Istanbul Basaksehir. “It was easy for me because, at my club, we’ve used a three-back system a few times this season.
So, it was quite easy to settle into the system here as well,” he explained.
His versatility, which was developed during his time at the Fulham academy where he played as a left-back, allowed him to adapt to different roles as needed.
Opoku’s debut came after a challenging 2024 for Ghana, where they failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
This disappointment acted as a wake-up call for the team, pushing them to focus even harder on qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. “The motivation was greater because we missed out on AFCON, and now we need to make it up to the country by qualifying for the World Cup,” Opoku noted.
Currently leading Group I with 15 points, Ghana is close to securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup. Opoku remains optimistic about their chances, stating, “I’m 200% confident we’ll qualify. We will fight hard till the end to secure the necessary points and qualify for the World Cup.”
While Ghana’s World Cup dreams are alive and well, Opoku’s club side, Basaksehir, has faced a more challenging season.
The Turkish club is currently mid-table in the league and has struggled in European competition. Opoku acknowledged the difficulties, but he remains focused on the club’s goal of qualifying for Europe.
“It’s been a tough season. We’ve had setbacks, but our goal remains to qualify for Europe. We’ll keep working hard,” he said.
Despite the struggles at the club level, Opoku has been a consistent performer for Basaksehir, starting 24 league games, contributing two goals and two assists.
As he juggles commitments to both Ghana and Basaksehir, Opoku remains determined to continue improving and achieving his goals on the global stage.
Jerome Opoku’s competitive debut for Ghana was not just a personal achievement, but a testament to perseverance, hard work, and a deep commitment to his country.
His journey highlights the determination of a player who is willing to give his all for both club and country.
As the 2026 World Cup qualifiers progress, Opoku and the Black Stars are prepared to face the world and continue their journey towards global success.
