"I stay humble": Caleb Yirenkyi deflects glory after World Cup winner against Panama
He could have been forgiven for basking in the adulation. At just 20 years old, Caleb Yirenkyi had just etched his name into Ghanaian football folklore, scoring a dramatic 95th-minute winner that handed the Black Stars a vital 1-0 victory over Panama in their World Cup opener.
But as the cameras flashed and the accolades poured in, the teenager remained grounded, deflecting praise and insisting the triumph belonged to the collective, not the individual.
Speaking after the match to the GFA website, Yirenkyi was quick to downplay his heroics, attributing the goal to the team's relentless preparation and the guidance of the technical staff. "We won the ball back. I just tried to play forward and then run forward, hoping to see what would come. I got the ball in the box and finished," he said modestly.
The young midfielder, who had been booked early in the first half, displayed remarkable composure to bundle home the winner from close range in the fifth minute of stoppage time. It was a moment of chaos and ecstasy, but for Yirenkyi, it was simply the culmination of hours of practice.
"That's what we've been practicing since we started our preparation — get the ball to the wings and put it in the box. Then we make runs, get people in the box to finish. That's what we've been doing. It's good that today we had the opportunity to finish one," he explained.
When asked about the significance of scoring his first World Cup goal as a teenager, Yirenkyi remained resolutely humble. "I think it's the lessons he gives us — great lessons. We do a lot of training with a lot of intensity. It's not just me, it's everyone helping each other out. The feeling is great but I stay humble. I want to do more for the team and the country. We all hope for the best, not just for myself, but for everyone," he said.
The victory was all the more remarkable given the challenges Ghana faced. The Black Stars were without the influential Thomas Partey, who was denied entry into Canada due to visa issues, and lost goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi at half-time through injury, with Benjamin Asare stepping in for his World Cup debut. Yet the team showed resilience and unity, qualities Yirenkyi was keen to highlight.
"With the team we have, there's great support around us. The senior players help us very much as young players. We just have to take the information in and do our best — run for each other, fight for each other, cover spaces for each other. Then we hope for the best," he said.
Yirenkyi also credited the team's nutritionist for the players' ability to manage the hydration break, which drew loud boos from the rain-drenched supporters. "We have a great nutritionist giving us all the best insights on taking the right nutrients. We listened and we trusted him, and I think it helped very much," he noted.
On the subject of Partey's absence, Yirenkyi expressed hope that the Villarreal midfielder would return. "He is a great player for us to have. Hopefully, we will have him back in the next games and we hope for the best for him," he said.
As Ghana now turns its attention to a daunting clash with England in Boston, Yirenkyi insists the team will not get ahead of themselves. "We are just doing what we can do best each and every day. Learn from each other, learn from the coach, learn from the people around us. We take it day by day. We don't think too far ahead — we just work," he said.
For now, the teenager from Bechem has announced himself on the world stage. But if his words are anything to go by, he is already focused on the next challenge, carrying the hopes of a nation with humility, determination, and an unwavering belief in the power of teamwork.
