President of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah, has praised Ghana's tactical discipline following the Black Stars' goalless draw against England at the FIFA World Cup, describing the te
The report indicates that president of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah, has praised Ghana’s tactical discipline following the Black Stars’ goalless draw against England at the FIFA World Cup, describing the team’s defensive organisation as the key factor behind the result.
It further notes that speaking a day after the match, Herbert Mensah stated Ghana’s performance demonstrated the importance of structure, concentration and tactical execution against stronger opponents.
Viewing the game from the perspective of a sports administrator, Herbert argued that football, like all elite sports, requires a long-term strategic approach that balances talent with organisation.
Ahead of the match, he had predicted that England would enter as favourites but maintained that Ghana had the ability to secure a positive result through discipline and endurance.
“England is stronger than Ghana, but tournaments are not always won by the strongest team. They are won by teams that can endure and execute their plans effectively,” he said.
Herbert highlighted the impact of Ghana’s defensive setup, commonly referred to as a “low block”, which involved the team maintaining a compact shape and limiting England’s space in attacking areas.
According to him, Ghana’s midfield and defensive lines worked effectively together to frustrate England’s attack throughout the match.
He singled out Thomas Partey for praise, describing the midfielder’s leadership and defensive contributions as crucial to Ghana’s performance.
“Thomas Partey played an important role in shielding the defence and helping to maintain the team’s structure throughout the game,” Herbert Mensah said.
He also commended several younger players for their composure in dealing with England’s attacking threats and set-piece situations.
Herbert rejected suggestions that Ghana’s concentration levels dropped during the game, insisting the team remained disciplined for the full duration of the contest, including stoppage time.
He noted that while some observers criticised Ghana’s defensive approach, modern football increasingly rewards teams capable of combining defensive solidity with effective transitions in attack.
The Rugby Africa president pointed to moments when Ghana threatened on the counterattack, particularly through the pace and physical presence of the team’s forwards.
Looking ahead, Herbert warned that Ghana’s next group match against Croatia would present a different challenge.
