Semenyo and Ghana look to channel 2010 spirit against England

Antoine Semenyo was just 10 years old, glued to the television at his uncle's house in Bexleyheath, south-east London, when Ghana came within a Luis Suárez handball of becoming the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final. That night, the collective scream of his family — mum, dad, uncles, aunties, cousins — still echoes in his memory. Now, 14 years later, Semenyo is himself a Ghana international, preparing to face England in a friendly that carries echoes of that golden generation.

The 2010 heartbreak

Ghana's run in South Africa 2010 remains the high-water mark for African football at a World Cup. Led by the likes of Asamoah Gyan and Michael Essien, the Black Stars topped a group containing Germany, Australia, and Serbia, then edged the United States in extra time to set up a quarter-final with Uruguay. In the dying moments of extra time, with the score 1-1, Gyan's header was destined for the net until Suárez deliberately blocked it with his hands. Suárez was sent off, but Gyan missed the resulting penalty. Uruguay won the shootout, and Africa's dream died.

That moment seared into the consciousness of a young Semenyo, who watched the drama unfold surrounded by family. "I remember being at my uncle's house, and we were screaming after the handball, thinking we were going through," he recalled. The pain was acute, but so was the pride.

Semenyo's Ghanaian pride

Semenyo, now a forward for AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League, was eligible to represent both England and Ghana. Born in London to Ghanaian parents, he played for England at under-20 level before switching allegiance to Ghana in 2022. "Ghana came in for me when I was 19 or 20, so I was never going to turn it down," he said. The decision was rooted in those family gatherings, those shared celebrations. Choosing Ghana meant honouring the heritage he grew up with — the same heritage that packed a house in Bexleyheath for every World Cup match.

What this fixture means

This friendly against England is more than a routine international break contest. For Ghana, it is a chance to measure themselves against a European powerhouse, to see how far they have come since 2010. For Semenyo, it is a personal milestone: facing the country of his birth in front of what will be a partisan crowd at Wembley. The fixture also serves as preparation for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, where Ghana will aim to end a long trophy drought. The ghost of that Suárez handball still lingers, but Semenyo and his teammates are writing their own story. If they can channel even a fraction of the spirit of 2010, England could be in for a tough test.