Ghana optimistic Ati-Zigi will recover in time to face England at World Cup

Ghana are cautiously optimistic that goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi will be fit to face England in their World Cup Group L fixture in Boston on Tuesday, after the 29-year-old returned to light training following scans on a groin injury sustained in the Black Stars’ opening win over Panama.

Ati-Zigi, who plays his club football for St. Gallen in Switzerland, made several crucial stops before being replaced by Benjamin Asare at half-time in Ghana’s 1-0 victory. Initial fears that his tournament was over have eased, though goalkeeper coach Daniel Gaspar stressed the decision on his availability would be taken carefully.

“We’re extremely happy with his progress. It’s day by day,” Gaspar said. “Obviously, this is a medical issue collaborated with head coach Carlos Queiroz, so we’ll take it session by session. We’re optimistic, and the decision will be made at the right time. But one thing is for sure, we always stress the team above the individual. Any decision we make is in the best interest of the team.”

Ghana face a considerably sterner test than Panama provided. England struck four goals past Croatia in Dallas in their opener, arriving in Boston in confident mood. Gaspar acknowledged the scale of the challenge but insisted his goalkeepers are being put through drills specifically tailored to England’s attacking patterns.

“England is one of the best teams in the world. They have certain characteristics and a style of play, and we’re exposing our goalkeepers to those conditions,” he said. “Panama is different to England. England will be different to Croatia. We analyse each opponent, identify their dangerous players and attacking patterns, then incorporate that into training.”

Head coach Carlos Queiroz, the former Manchester United assistant, has brought four goalkeepers to the tournament — including Solomon Agbasi, who is present for training purposes — a practice Gaspar defended as key to keeping the squad sharp and healthy through high-volume finishing and crossing drills.

In attack, Ghana will look to Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo to trouble England’s defence, with Kamaldeen Sulemana and Ernest Nuamah also capable of causing problems. Tottenham winger Mohammed Kudus misses the game through injury, representing a notable absence for the Black Stars.