It took just 90 minutes for Kwasi Sibo to turn himself from a last-minute call-up into Ghana’s newest midfield warrior. The 27-year-old Real Oviedo player delivered a powerhouse display on his international debut as the Black Stars edged Mali 1-0 in last week’s World Cup qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Thrown into the starting XI after Thomas Partey’s fitness worries and Elisha Owusu’s suspension, Sibo seized his chance in style. He broke up play, chased everything in sight, and gave Partey the freedom to surge forward and link up with the attack.

Coach’s praise
Coach Otto Addo could hardly hide his delight at the newest addition to his squad.
“He [Sibo] is very confident, and I think he did extremely well when you see this is his first performance. He is a warrior,” Addo said with a smile. “For the future, things will only get better. But like every player, his performance at club level will determine his next call-up.”

The praise didn’t end there. Former Black Stars stalwart Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu was quick to cheekily draw parallels between his own playing days and Sibo’s style.
“Sibo is a very solid player with a lot of promise,” Agyemand-Badu noted. “Honestly, he can’t match the power and energy I brought to the team in my time,” he joked, “but he has qualities that suit the modern game. I like his composure, ball distribution and discipline. With the right guidance, he can become a big name for the Black Stars.”

The midfielder provided steel to Ghana's midfield and allowed Thomas Partey the freedom to surge forward and link up with the attack

For Sibo, however, the plaudits are simply fuel for the road ahead. Speaking to the Graphic Sports at the team’s Alisa Hotel camp, he admitted he feels blessed but insists he is not getting carried away.
“Getting a starting role in such a crucial match means the coach has confidence in me, but I have to work even harder to fight for a place in the team,” he said. “If I don’t get regular playing time at Oviedo, I’ll not catch the eye of the coach. So my focus is to keep working hard, for my club and for Ghana.”

Future ambitions
The midfielder has set his sights on helping the Black Stars seal a fifth World Cup appearance when they face the Central African Republic and Comoros in their final group matches next month.
“Being part of the 23-man squad is a blessing. If you get the opportunity, you must seize it,” Sibo reflected. “We have to give our all to make the dream of 2026 World Cup qualification a reality. That’s what Ghanaians expect of us.”

It has been a remarkable rise for a man who just three years ago was battling in Spain’s third tier. Now he is locking horns with La Liga giants and dreaming of the Champions League, as he now finds himself anchoring Oviedo’s midfield against Europe’s elite.
“It’s tough in La Liga, but I like it there because they treat me like a king,” he said proudly. “We’re working hard to stay up, but one of my biggest ambitions is to play in the UEFA Champions League. Everything happens for a reason, and I believe I have the power to change situations.”

Now, with a World Cup on the horizon, the midfielder knows the opportunity of a lifetime lies within his grasp, and he’s determined not to let it slip away, vowing to make the most of the moment.

“Being part of the 23-man squad is a blessing, and when you get the opportunity, you must seize it,” he said. “Everything happens for a reason, and as a footballer, you have to be mentally strong. I believe I have the power to change situations.

“The coach told me he’s been monitoring me, so I must stay focused, work hard, and help Ghana qualify for the 2026 World Cup — because that’s what Ghanaians expect. For any player, representing your country on football’s biggest stage is the ultimate dream, and we are ready to give everything in the remaining matches to make it happen.”