Antoine Semenyo Demands Black Stars Abandon Passive Approach Toward Officials Ahead of Decisive Croatia Clash

Ghanaian international forward Antoine Semenyo has issued a rallying cry to his Black Stars teammates, urging them to adopt a more assertive and aggressive approach when dealing with match officials. His comments follow a frustrating encounter with England where several penalty appeals were dismissed by the referee. Semenyo believes that the team's current nice guy persona on the pitch is detrimental to their success, particularly in high-stakes international competitions where fine margins often decide the outcome of matches. He emphasized that the team must learn to actively influence officiating decisions by drawing immediate and unmistakable attention to fouls committed against them. The Bournemouth forward pointed to specific instances in the match against England to justify his concerns. According to Semenyo, he was fouled in the penalty area by defender Ezri Konsa, who he claims made no attempt to play the ball. Additionally, a clear foul on Prince Adu Kwabena was ignored by the match officials, further fueling the player's frustration. Semenyo argued that had the players been more vocal or remained on the ground longer to emphasize the contact, the officials might have been compelled to review the incidents or consult with VAR. He noted that in the modern game, being passive often leads to being overlooked, and the Black Stars must adapt their gamesmanship to ensure they are not unfairly disadvantaged. Looking ahead to the crucial final group game against Croatia, Semenyo stressed that the stakes are too high for the team to remain passive. The Black Stars are currently locked in a tight battle in Group L, tied with England on four points. The result of the upcoming fixture will determine their progression to the next stage of the tournament. Semenyo’s advice to his colleagues involves a tactical shift in how they respond to physicality, suggesting they need to stay down longer to attract official attention. This call for greater gamesmanship reflects the intense pressure on the squad to deliver a result against a formidable Croatian side. The upcoming match against Croatia is a must-watch event, as Ghana seeks to secure a win or a draw to solidify their standing in the group. While the suggestion to be more assertive with officials may be controversial to some, it underscores the competitive mindset required at the highest level of international football. The Black Stars management and fans alike will be watching closely to see if the team takes Semenyo’s advice to heart and employs a more savvy approach to match-day officiating. With their tournament hopes on the line, the ability to manage the referee and the flow of the game could be just as important as their performance on the ball.