In a nation where football is almost a civic religion, we have developed an unfortunate habit: lowering the bar and then celebrating when we barely crawl over it.

The Black Queens’ 2–0 defeat to England in an international friendly has provoked an unusual wave of applause from sections of the media, with some commentators proudly declaring, “At least we didn’t concede more.”

But since when did defeat become an achievement?

Since when did a loss—irrespective of margin—qualify as success for a country that touts itself as a football powerhouse on the continent? This generous applause is not just misplaced; it is dangerous.

It normalises mediocrity, rewards underperformance, and blinds us to the structural gaps that urgently need attention.

1. Losing by Fewer Goals Is Not a Benchmark of Excellence

Football is not charity. A match is not an exam where writing your name gets you half the marks. A 2–0 defeat is still a defeat, and a defeat should not be paraded as progress simply because the opponent is highly ranked.

Consider this: Nigeria’s Super Falcons faced England at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and not only held them to a 0–0 draw but pushed the Lionesses to penalties—without conceding a single goal in open play. That is performance. That is standard. That is ambition in action.

By contrast, celebrating Ghana’s 2–0 defeat suggests our expectations have been reduced to damage control, not competitive intent. Nations that grow do not measure themselves by how little they lose, but by how strongly they compete.

2. Overpraising Poor Performances Weakens Accountability

When the media romanticises a loss, accountability evaporates. The technical team, the administrators, and even the players become insulated from constructive criticism. It is the same pattern that has plagued Ghana football for years—overpraise after minimal effort, silence after real failures, and shock when progress stalls.

If we clap for every subpar display, how do we demand improvement?

How do we measure growth? Progress requires honesty, not emotional cushioning. A friendly match is meant to expose weaknesses, not conceal them under a blanket of misplaced celebration.

3. England Played Within Themselves — This Was Not Their Full Strength

Another inconvenient truth is this: England did not even deploy a full-strength, all-guns-blazing squad. They played in second gear for long stretches, experimenting and rotating. In modern football, “respectable losses” often say more about the opponent’s restraint than your own performance.

If we applaud a match where the opponent was clearly not at maximum intensity, what happens when we meet them — or a team of equal calibre — in full competitive flow? Do we still celebrate “just two goals”?

4. Celebrating Defeat Sends the Wrong Message to Young Players

Young Ghanaian girls looking up to the Black Queens deserve better role models — not in personality, but in performance standards.

If we normalise the idea that losing is acceptable as long as the scoreline is flattering, we dilute the hunger, ambition, and competitiveness that create champions.

Great nations build elite athletes by instilling a winning mentality, not a survival mentality.

5. Mediocrity Thrives When Society Lowers Its Standards

The applauding of mediocrity isn’t unique to football — it mirrors a broader societal trend. Too often we celebrate “managing”, “trying”, “almost”, and “not too bad”.

But nations that aspire to global relevance refuse to romanticise average outcomes. Japan didn’t become a football powerhouse by celebrating narrow defeats. Morocco didn’t reach the World Cup semi-finals by patting themselves on the back for “not losing heavily”. They confronted their shortcomings with brutal honesty.

Progress demands discomfort. It requires looking at a 2–0 defeat and saying, boldly: No, this is not good enough.

6. The Scoreline Flatters Ghana — The Performance Does Not

Yes, England scored only two goals. But what about ball possession, chance creation, passing accuracy, transitional play, and tactical organisation? A glance at these deeper metrics strips away the illusion quickly.

The match exposed structural weaknesses in midfield coordination, defensive organisation, and attacking threat. Defeat is not defined solely by goals conceded; it is reflected in every aspect of gameplay.

If the performance is weak, the result—whether 2–0 or 5–0—is simply a detail.

Conclusion: Demand More, Expect More, Become More

If the Black Queens are to compete seriously on the global stage, we must discard this culture of applauding near-misses and beginning-from-behind victories. A 2–0 defeat to England is not a badge of honour. It is a reminder of the gulf we must bridge — tactically, structurally, and mentally.

Ghana football deserves higher standards. The players deserve honest criticism that sparks improvement. The fans deserve progress, not consolation prizes. And the media must stop being a cheerleading squad for average performances.
We cannot rise by lowering the bar.

If we want excellence, we must first refuse to celebrate mediocrity.