#ANALYSIS Why Panama's discipline makes them a dangerous opening test for Ghana

With Kudus absent, the burden of creating something out of nothing falls squarely on Antoine Semenyo, who arrives at this World Cup in the form of his career. He scored ten goals in twenty Premier League appearances for Bournemouth before a January move to Manchester City, where he has continued scoring at the same rate. Several analysts now consider him the most dangerous attacking option Ghana have in this squad, arguably the best in-form player in the entire Premier League this season by some measures. If Ghana are going to find the breakthrough Panama's disciplined defence will try to deny them, it is increasingly likely to come through Semenyo's individual quality rather than a collective attacking move.

Former GFA Communications Director Ibrahim Sannie Daara has stressed that nothing less than a win against Panama tonight will do if Ghana want to keep their knockout hopes realistic. With England and Croatia waiting in the remaining two group games, tonight is widely seen as Ghana's most winnable fixture in the entire group stage, which raises the stakes rather than lowers them. Adding to the pressure, Ghana go into the tournament without a win in their last several outings, including a goalless draw with Wales in their final warm-up match. A defeat or even a draw tonight would leave Queiroz needing results against two European heavyweights just to stay alive in the competition, turning what should be a confidence-building opener into a must-win occasion before the tournament has even gathered momentum.