By Kwame Bediako
Caleb Yirenkyi marked his first senior Ghana goal, but a late Wales equaliser denied the Black Stars victory in a 1-1 draw in Cardiff on Tuesday night. The result came in Carlos Queiroz’s first match as Ghana coach and offered encouragement, even if it ended in frustration.
Wales made the sharper start and forced Lawrence Ati-Zigi into several important saves early on. Ghana gradually settled, though, and began to look more threatening after the break, with Ernest Nuamah repeatedly troubling the Welsh defence down the flank.
The decisive moment arrived in the 66th minute when Nuamah drove forward and saw his effort rebound off the post. Yirenkyi reacted quickest, pouncing from close range to score his first goal for the senior national team.
That goal sparked big celebrations among Ghanaian fans in Cardiff and appeared set to hand Queiroz a winning start. But Wales salvaged a point in stoppage time when Lewis Koumas headed home from a Neco Williams cross.
Even with the late disappointment, Ghana will take positives from the performances of Nuamah and Yirenkyi as preparations continue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Black Stars open their Group L campaign against Panama on June 17 before meeting England and Croatia.
