Black Stars defender Jerome Opoku believes Ghana’s performance in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Wales is something to be proud of as the team continues to build ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ghana were denied victory at the Cardiff City Stadium after Lewis Koumas headed home a stoppage-time equaliser for Wales. Caleb Yirenkyi had given the Black Stars a 66th-minute lead with his first senior international goal.

Speaking after the game, Opoku said Ghana deserved more from the contest but insisted the display offers encouragement with just days of preparation under head coach Carlos Queiroz.

“I thought it was a performance for us to be proud of,” Opoku said. “As the head coach said, we felt we should have won the game. It’s just the little details now, and something to build on given the short time we’ve worked together.”

Opoku echoed Queiroz’s comments on the importance of time, with the Black Stars squad only assembling fully this week.

“The key word is time, as the coach said,” he added. “Considering the amount of time we’ve had together, with new additions coming in, I was pleased we could put that performance out there. It shows that with more time, we can only get better as a team.”

Ghana now turn attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia, and open their campaign against Panama on June 17.