Ghana defender Jerome Opoku has lauded coach Otto Addo's tactical approach, which facilitated a seamless integration into the Black Stars' lineup for his first competitive start. The 26-year-old center-back featured in a 3-5-2 formation against Madagascar, a tactical shift from the 4-1-4-1 previously utilized. Despite minimal preparation, Opoku delivered a commendable performance.

"I would say I was a little surprised to start against Madagascar, but as I said, I had always worked and looked forward to my time here," Opoku told Flashscore, highlighting his readiness and anticipation for the opportunity.

Opoku, who is accustomed to a similar system at Başakşehir, noted how his club experience aided his adaptation. "It was easy for me because, in my club, we’ve played with a three-back a couple of times this season, so it was quite easy to settle in," he explained. He also credited the coaching staff, stating, "The coaches of Ghana really worked through it and came up with a clear plan for everyone to adopt, so that also helped really well."

His versatility, stemming from his time as a left-back in Fulham’s academy, further enhances his value to Ghana’s defense. Opoku played a role in Ghana’s 3-0 victory over Madagascar, following their dominant 5-0 win against Chad. The team now holds a three-point lead in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Looking ahead, Jerome Opoku has voiced strong confidence in Ghana’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after their convincing win against Madagascar. Ghana currently tops Group I with 15 points, three points ahead of Comoros, with four matches remaining. Opoku is optimistic about maintaining their momentum.

"I am 200% confident of qualifying. That’s the aim and dream," Opoku affirmed to Flashscore. "We know it’s not job done yet, and it won’t be easy, but we will fight hard till the end to ensure that we secure the necessary points to finish first in the group and qualify for the World Cup."

The Black Stars' failure to qualify for AFCON 2025, according to Opoku, has intensified their focus on the World Cup campaign. "This time, we have a different and much bigger motivation because the team failed to qualify for AFCON," he stated. "We needed to put that behind us, move on, and make it up to the whole country by winning games and qualifying for the World Cup."