Semenyo’s reading of the tournament was shaped by a remarkable collective effort.
His own standout memory was the 0-0 draw with England, a result that underlined Ghana’s competitiveness on the biggest stage. Semenyo also pointed to Cape Verde as another sign of the continent’s depth, saying: “Saí daquele jogo pensando: "Meu Deus, esse é um dos melhores times africanos que enfrentei".” It was a reminder that, inside African football, the rise has been visible for a while.
Semenyo’s story gives his words extra weight. Born in England to Ghanaian parents, he did not follow the polished academy route and has spoken about early rejection and time in non-league football before breaking through. That background still shapes his outlook.
He named Tony Yeboah, Asamoah Gyan and Didier Drogba among his inspirations, adding: “Pensar que estou fazendo isso agora me deixa grato a Deus. É um sonho ter crianças se inspirando em mim e seguindo meus passos. Isso me dá mais motivação para continuar.”
Now the challenge is different. After arriving at Manchester City in January, Semenyo is aiming higher still under Enzo Maresca. His message was clear: “Dá para ver que ele quer ganhar tudo, como nós,” Semenyo said.
That blend of gratitude and hunger may be exactly what City need. The next storyline is obvious: whether Semenyo can turn a compelling journey and a strong recent run into silverware once the new season begins.