Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo has spoken candidly about the weight of expectations with the Black Stars, Ghana’s senior national team.
Ghana secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup in October after defeating Comoros 1-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Black Stars are set to participate at their fifth tournament on the world stage, with Semenyo set for his second successive appearance after the 2022 edition.
Despite his blistering form for Manchester City and his mesmerising displays at his previous side, Bournemouth, the forward has struggled to replicate the same in the national team.
Speaking on the all about football podcast, the 26-year-old, who has scored three goal for Ghana since 2022, admitted Ghana is a football loving nation, who have high expectations for him.
“In Ghana, the expectation is every ball I touch has to be in the back of the net. If it’s not, you’re crap. That’s how they are. They love football over there. Football is everything,”
The positioning of Semenyo in the national set up has been an issue of public discussion, with many fans attributing his low output in the national setup to the failure of previous head coach Otto Addo to find the right position for the forward on the pitch.
Otto Addo has since been relived of his duty on March 31, with Carlos Queiroz stepping in his stead.
Semenyo will have the opportunity to hit the right notes when Ghana face Wales in a preliminary World Cup friendly on June 2.
Ghana will then begin their World Cup campaign with a game against Panama on June 17 before facing England and Vroatia days after.
