Ghana began their FIFA World Cup campaign on a winning note after a dramatic 90+5-minute winner from Caleb Yirenkyi secured a hard-fought victory over Panama in a tense encounter.
Just when it seemed the Black Stars would have to settle for a point, Yirenkyi emerged as the hero of the night, finding the back of the net deep into stoppage time to hand Ghana all three points and spark wild celebrations among players and fans alike.
The match was a closely contested affair, with both sides creating chances but struggling to find the decisive breakthrough. Panama proved to be a stubborn opponent, matching Ghana’s intensity and organization throughout much of the game.
Ghana, under their new manager, showed determination and resilience as they pushed relentlessly for a winner. Their persistence was finally rewarded in the fifth minute of added time when Yirenkyi capitalized on a late opportunity, sending the Black Stars faithful into jubilation.
The dramatic victory gives Ghana a perfect start to the tournament and provides a major confidence boost ahead of their remaining group-stage matches. While there is still room for improvement in terms of cohesion and finishing, the result underlines the fighting spirit within the squad.
For Panama, the defeat will be a bitter pill to swallow after producing a disciplined performance for most of the contest, only to concede at the death.
As the celebrations continue, Ghana can take pride in a winning start to their World Cup journey. Thanks to Caleb Yirenkyi’s last-gasp heroics, the Black Stars have taken an important first step toward their ambition of progressing to the knockout stages.
