Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has backed the Black Stars to contain England in today’s Group L World Cup match in Boston, invoking 33 million Ghanaians as his driving force.

Addressing reporters, Queiroz said his squad had studied England carefully and knew how to limit them. He then made his position plain. “We know they have three lions, but we have 33 million lions,” Queiroz said, setting Ghana’s population against England’s national emblem.

The words come with context. Queiroz has faced England at a World Cup before. His Iran side lost 6-2 to England in the 2022 group stage, the heaviest defeat of his World Cup career as a head coach. He arrives in Boston carrying that knowledge.

Both teams carry three points from their opening matches. Ghana beat Panama 1-0 through Caleb Yirenkyi’s goal in stoppage time last Wednesday in Toronto. England defeated Croatia 4-2, with Harry Kane scoring twice to match Gary Lineker’s England record of 10 goals at World Cups.

Victory today sends the winner to the Round of 32 with one group game to spare. Queiroz was clear about his side’s aim. He told reporters that accumulating points was his only priority at this stage, and that qualification was the measure every decision would be judged against.

Ghana and England have never met in a competitive fixture. Their only senior encounter was a 1-1 draw at Wembley in 2011.

Krobia Online Radio reporting.