'We want to prove a point' – Man City star Antoine Semenyo fires warning shot at England
The celebrations from Ghana's dramatic last-gasp victory over Panama had barely subsided when Antoine Semenyo issued a chilling warning to England: the Black Stars are coming to prove a point.
Speaking after Wednesday night's breathless 1-0 win in Toronto, the Manchester City forward made it clear that Ghana's sights are firmly set on their next Group L challenge against the Three Lions on June 23. And the message was unmistakable—this Ghana team is not here to make up the numbers.
"It's gonna be different for sure," Semenyo told reporters. "I'm looking forward to the challenge. Everyone in the Ghana team is looking forward to it, and we want to prove a point."
The victory over Panama, secured by Caleb Yirenkyi's 95th-minute winner, ended a six-game winless streak and breathed life into Ghana's campaign. But Semenyo was quick to stress that the hard work is only just beginning. "We know it's going to be a tough game. We're not gonna get ahead of ourselves. We know we want to win that game, but we know it's not gonna be easy either. So for now, it's to make sure we recover well now and we train well leading up to the England game," he said.
Semenyo admitted that Ghana struggled to gain a foothold against Panama early on, with the Central Americans repeatedly playing through the Black Stars' ineffective first-half press. Isolated and frustrated, Semenyo was shifted centrally by coach Carlos Queiroz to provide stability before being moved back out wide as the game opened up.
"I feel like the first 15, 20 minutes we weren't getting the press right, so he put me in the middle just to get the team up a little bit," Semenyo explained. "We felt like we were a little bit deep. That was the whole point of that change. But eventually, as the game opened up, he wanted me back out wide trying to get on the ball. We stuck together well, didn't concede. Like I said, it was a game about moments. We got our moment and we finished it off."
Such was the speed with which Ghana's winner unfolded that Semenyo admitted afterward he could barely remember the sequence.
"I can't remember what happened," he confessed with a smile. "I think the ball broke loose fast, and I got it. I just wanted to play it into space for Brandon, and I thought I'd over hit the pass but he got there just in time. When he got the ball, I wanted to cut back initially, but I made the run across the front post, completely missed the ball, but luckily it went to Caleb and he tapped it in."
The goal sparked delirious celebrations among players and supporters, with even Queiroz heading toward the Ghana fans after the final whistle. Semenyo credited the fans for giving the team the lift they needed throughout the contest. "It was crazy. The fans were loud all game for us and we appreciate them for everything and just celebrating that moment with them, teammates, family, friends. It was amazing," he said.
With England lying in wait, having opened their campaign with a commanding 4-2 victory over Croatia, the stage is set for a showdown brimming with narrative and intrigue. For Semenyo and his teammates, the message is clear: the time for proving a point is now, and they intend to seize it.
