When Jerome Opoku learned he would be starting Ghana’s World Cup qualifier against Madagascar, he was both excited and a little surprised. The 26-year-old centre-back, however, embraced the opportunity with confidence, thanks in large part to Otto Addo’s tactical shift.

Ghana’s head coach opted for a 3-5-2 formation, moving away from the 4-1-4-1 structure used in their previous match. Despite having just one training session to adjust, Opoku slotted in seamlessly, delivering a commanding performance in the heart of defense.

“I would say I was a little surprised to start against Madagascar, but I’ve always worked and looked forward to my time here,” Opoku revealed to Sportsblog247.com.

His smooth transition was no accident. At his club, Istanbul Basaksehir, Opoku has grown accustomed to playing in a similar three-back system. This familiarity gave him an edge when adapting to the new setup under Addo.

“It was easy for me because, at my club, we’ve played with a three-back a couple of times this season, so it was quite easy to settle in,” he explained. “The coaches of Ghana really worked through it and came up with a clear plan for everyone to adopt, so that also helped really well.”

Opoku’s versatility has long been an asset. During his time in Fulham’s academy, he often featured as a left-back, a skillset that has allowed him to adapt to various defensive roles.

His assured display helped Ghana secure a 3-0 victory over Madagascar, building on their emphatic 5-0 win against Chad. With these back-to-back triumphs, the Black Stars now sit three points clear at the top of their 2026 World Cup qualifying group.