Ghana’s emerging talents have strengthened their case for starting roles ahead of the World Cup following an improved display against Wales, according to sports analyst Kojo Addae-Mensah.

Addae-Mensah singled out Semenyo as the standout performer, describing him as the “number one pick” after delivering a strong performance that justified his inclusion in the squad.

“He proved beyond reasonable doubt why we pushed for the nationality switch,” he said on the Asaase breakfast Show on Wednesday (3 June).

He also praised Jonas Adjetey for an “outstanding” display despite criticism from fans, and highlighted Gideon Mensah’s defensive resilience, particularly in dealing with high-level opposition.

Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi also earned plaudits for key saves, with Addae-Mensah suggesting the shot-stopper has laid a strong claim to the number one position.

“Atizegui made some outstanding saves… I’ll be surprised if he drops from number one,” he said.

In contrast, he raised concerns about some senior players, suggesting that age and declining pace are affecting their effectiveness in the modern game.

“The game has changed… it’s about pace now,” he noted, pointing to players such as Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey as examples.

He also identified Baba Rahman as a player who failed to impress, citing defensive lapses and a lack of readiness during his brief appearance.

Addae-Mensah emphasised the importance of impact substitutes, praising the contributions of players off the bench and urging the technical team to maximise squad depth.

“It’s always important to have players who can come in and change games,” he said.

Looking ahead, he said Ghana’s chances at the World Cup will depend heavily on balancing youth, experience and tactical discipline.