‘Caleb Yirenkyi played more as a midfielder under Otto Addo’ – Carlos Queiroz

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has rejected claims that former coach Otto Addo deployed youngster Caleb Yirenkyi primarily as a right-back.

During a press conference, a journalist asked the Portuguese manager about Yirenkyi’s position in the team, noting that ex-coach Otto Addo used to play him at right-back.

In response, Queiroz refuted the claim, stating that the FC Nordsjaelland player only featured twice in the full-back role.

2026 FIFA World Cup: Watch highlights of Black Stars’ 95th-minute victory against Panama

Queiroz clarified that his observation shows Otto Addo played Yirenkyi mostly as a midfielder. He added that despite the 20-year-old’s versatility, he sees him best suited to midfield.

“I don’t know which game you are assessing to say he plays as a right-back. It is true that in the national team he played two games in that position, maybe in the friendlies against Austria and Germany. But in the majority of games, he played in midfield. At his club, he plays different roles, sometimes in midfield and sometimes adapting as a center-back. In my opinion, he is a midfield player,” Queiroz told the press.

Caleb Yirenkyi stole the spotlight by scoring the only goal to give Ghana victory over Panama in their opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

His presence in midfield was evident, with relentless runs to recover possession and join attacks, even though he was booked early in the match.

Watch the video below:

🎥 🇬🇭 “He played only two games as a right-back.”

Carlos Queiroz corrected a journalist who alleged that Otto Addo consistently deployed Caleb Yirenkyi in the full-back position for the Black Stars.#CitiSports pic.twitter.com/LJOxlxQU0N

— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) June 19, 2026

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Watch as Ghanaians jubilate massively after Black Stars win over Panama