TORONTO, CANADA – JUNE 17: Ghana players pose for the starting XI photo before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between Ghana and Panama at Toronto Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Thiago Szwarc/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)Amidst the frantic preparation and injury setbacks that defined Ghana’s 2026 World Cup campaign, one thing stood out above all for assistant coach Roger De Sa: the humility of the players.”Their humility stood out. I would not say it surprised me, but it was wonderful to experience how willing they were to work, learn and give 100% every day,” De Sa told Flashscore.”That included players of massive stature who have already enjoyed great careers, as well as the younger players coming through. Sometimes the better the player, the better the personality.”De Sa and head coach Carlos Queiroz inherited a squad that had lost six consecutive matches, with morale at a low ebb. The preparation time was minimal, with De Sa embarking on a frantic four-week tour of Europe, visiting 24 cities to scout players as Queiroz recovered from a medical procedure.Despite the challenges, including the loss of key players like Mohammed Kudus and both first-choice centre-backs, the squad’s attitude never wavered.”It was another great chapter in my career,” De Sa reflected, describing his time with the Black Stars. Ghana ultimately progressed from the group stage before exiting in the Round of 32, a campaign De Sa deemed “satisfactory” given the circumstances.For the South African coach, however, the lasting memory of the team was not just their performance, but their character.
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