‘We didn’t perform as expected’ – Gideon Mensah reflects on Gambia defeat

Black Stars captain Gideon Mensah has promised a response from the team after Ghana’s disappointing 4-2 defeat to The Gambia, saying the players have an opportunity to make Ghanaians happy again in their remaining qualifiers.

Ghana surrendered a two-goal lead at the Accra Sports Stadium as The Gambia staged a comeback to secure victory.

Speaking after the match, Mensah admitted that the team did not perform as expected and accepted responsibility for the result as captain.

“I think it is one of those games where we have to accept that luck was not on our side. We probably didn’t perform as we were supposed to on the field, and I, as captain today, also take responsibility for everything that happened on the field,” he said.

Mensah said the players were prepared to take the criticism following the defeat, insisting that the team still has an opportunity to turn things around.

“We have the chance to do it again and to make people happy again,” he added.

Mensah attributed some of the team’s struggles to the number of newcomers in the squad, explaining that playing for Ghana requires a different mentality and level of urgency compared to club football.

“When we talk about newcomers, it has to do with mentality, it has to do with urgency, knowing how it feels and what it takes to play for Ghana and to wear the Ghana jersey,” he said.

According to the captain, understanding the responsibility that comes with representing Ghana is something new players cannot learn overnight.

“Playing for Ghana, where everybody lives off football, is completely different from club football. Everybody is happy when Ghana wins a game. I think that was the part we were missing,” Mensah explained.

He pointed to the reaction of some players after Ghana scored their second goal as an example of the areas that need improvement.

“If you saw parts of the game, when we scored the second goal, everybody was literally on the sideline. These are things you can’t learn overnight. It takes time for some of the boys to learn,” he said.

The Black Stars captain also defended the new players who accepted invitations to join the national team, saying they deserve recognition for showing up despite several established players withdrawing because of injuries.

“At some point, we need to focus on appreciating the boys who are here to represent the country,” Mensah said.

He added that he was proud of the players for showing courage and making themselves available for national duty.

“Me, as captain, I am proud of them for not hiding and for coming out to play for Ghana,” he stated.

Black Stars need more than talent

Mensah believes Ghana must make significant improvements ahead of the remaining qualifiers, stressing that talent alone is not enough to succeed at international level.

“There are a lot of things that need to change in the team. Like the coach said, there is a whole lot to build together,” he said.

He noted that while the squad has talented players, representing Ghana requires a greater sense of responsibility, urgency and commitment.

“To play for the national team, we need to put it in our minds that playing for Ghana comes with a lot of responsibility,” Mensah said.

“As for talent, as for running, as for playing football, everybody knows we can do it. But there is some urgency and some spirit we need to have when we play for Ghana.”

Despite the defeats against The Gambia and Côte d’Ivoire, Mensah said he remained proud of the players for continuing to show up and represent the country.

“Nobody was hiding. Everybody showed that no matter the mistakes, they will show up for the national team, for their families, themselves, their communities and for their people,” he said.