Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuije has criticised Ghana’s tactical approach in the Black Stars’ 1-0 defeat to Colombia, insisting that frequent changes to the starting lineup disrupted the team’s chemistry.

Reacting to Ghana’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Round of 32 stage, Vanderpuije argued that consistent player selection is crucial in knockout matches.

“You cannot change four consistent players in the next match and expect a good result,” he said, suggesting the alterations affected the team’s rhythm and understanding on the pitch.

The former minister also questioned the decision to replace defender Jonas Adjetey with Derrick Luckassen, claiming the change unsettled Ghana’s backline.

According to Vanderpuije, Luckassen and Jerome Opoku struggled to build an effective defensive partnership, resulting in moments of confusion that Colombia exploited.

Ghana bowed out of the tournament following a narrow defeat, with criticism mounting over the team’s tactical decisions in the crucial knockout fixture.