Sports
We must stay focused after dominant win over Madagascar – Otto Addo
Our head coach, Otto Addo, faced the media after our dominant 3-0 win over Madagascar on Monday.
Thomas Partey scored a brace, while Kudus Mohammed also found the net in either half, giving the Black Stars their fifth win in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
In his post-match interview, Otto Addo touched on scoring from set-pieces, staying focused in the remaining matches, and fighting until the end.
Here’s what he had to say:
On the game against Madagascar
First of all, big congratulations to the team for the three points. The work ethic today, was exceptional. I think we started well, which led to some free-kicks. One of the free-kicks we used well to score and then from there, I have to say, Madagascar played really, really well. They put pressure on us without creating any big, big chances. But you could see the movements, they played well. But we defensively were very, very solid and I’m happy for that. In the second half, I think the guys needed just 50 minutes.
And then now, in the second half, we came over really, really well. We controlled the game, we had a lot of free-kicks again, which were really, really good. Also well done to our captain, Jordan, who had to take three assists, which is really, really amazing. Thomas took goals. It was really decisive, the execution of the free-kicks, but also the positioning in the box. We were very, very happy for that.
And then we started to play. We played well. Surely, in the last ten minutes, maybe we got a little bit more pressure, but I think we defended well again with clean sheets. So, yeah, we are very, very happy. I think we are taking a very, very big step, but it’s not done yet. We still have to work hard to qualify for the World Cup. There’s still a lot of work to do. But I think we are happy that we are in a good position.
On two wins against Chad and Madagascar sending out a statement
Yeah, I think, like I said, it’s not done yet. So, we still have to work hard. This is football. Things can turn very, very fast. As a national coach, you always have to wait for some months before you can get the team together to play again. But, I’m very, very happy for the results, for the way that we played. I think it was, at the end, well-deserved. And, yeah, we’re looking forward to the other games.
We can’t change the past. We have to look forward and try our best to use this position in which we are now to qualify for the World Cup.
On Madagascar
I think after we led 1-0, they came up well. You can see that they are good players, very, very good runs, good positioning in between the lines. But, also, I think we defended well. We didn’t allow too many chances in the second half. I think it was a good shot at the counter. We know that they are very, very good at counters. Big, big compliment to Thomas and Abu-Francis for closing the centre and stopping them from setting their counters well. Defensive line was very, very solid. But, I have to say, it’s a very, very strong team. I think they have a good future.
On scoring from set-pieces
I think we analysed well that, for example, against Sudan, we had 16 set-pieces. And, yeah, we were also a little bit unlucky. This is also a combination of, maybe, the last will, but also unlucky. I think Sudan, Djiku hit the post. If this ball had gone in, it would have been another story. We created a lot of chances. I know that this is football. If you work hard and you have the patience, the results will come.
This is what happens now. I have to also pay big, big respect for the assistant coaches, Gregory and also Desmond who are working hard, who are trying to find new ideas. I think it worked well. Like I said, we won deservedly.
On Benjamin Asare
At the moment, he’s the number one. We decided for him. He did well in training. Like I said, it’s not like he’s here and the others are there. So, we have a good situation where the goalkeepers are pushing each other, really, really helpful. The way Ati-Zigi and Wolcott also behaved during this week. And the way they also tried to push Benjamin to help him, to support him, which is not that common. I don’t take it for granted, but big, big props for them for pushing him, for giving him hints, you know. And this is good teamwork. And Benjamin really deserved it. He did well in the league but also in the training, the little training we had, he did very, very well and I’m happy for him.
On opening a five-point gap in Group I
Yeah, I think we’re in a good position but this is also a danger. And now already thinking about how to keep our heads focused. The job is really, really not done. Surely, maybe if Comoros win, we’re just three points ahead of Comoros. And we still have a long way to go. We have to be focused. If anyone thinks we’re through, then he’s making a big, big mistake. And I’ve seen a lot of football, a lot of things happening, and we have to stay focused. I’m happy for today, but like I said, the job is really not done.
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Otto Addo the hero as Stars dazzle
The performance of the Black Stars of Ghana in their last two games has reinforced a job hazard associated with coaching.
Although, a game of football always comes with three outcomes, a coach must go to his knees in prayer, asking the Almighty God to constantly deliver him wins in every match.
It means the fans, who are also well aware that their demands for wins weeks in and out is not possible, would, however, not accept the other outcomes of either sharing the spoils or be defeated.
Those prayers to win every time also look impossible because there may be thousands, if not millions, of coaches on their knees almost at the same time, asking the Almighty for similar favours.
Coach Otto Addo may be aware of this interesting scenario but recent development would remind him of that strong desire of the fans to win at all cost, and the need to work hard to that realisation.
Having played for the Black Stars as one of the privileged players to represent Ghana at her maiden FIFA World Cup in Germany in 2026, his appointment as the Black Stars coach was hailed by many.
He did not practice his trade in Ghana like the many others but as a good player with Borussia Dortmund, he justified his selection into the Black Stars. He later became a coach of the German club.
Therefore, in the quest to domesticate the technical department of the Black Stars, he was appointed with high hopes, perhaps due to the experience gained in his role as an Assistant Coach at Dortmund.
Addo came at a very crucial moment. It was indeed decisive because Ghana was about to face Nigeria in a two-legged World Cup qualifying play-off to Qatar.
Impressively, he managed to go past the Nigerians to snatch the World Cup ticket for Ghana.
Afterwards, Otto Addo became as instant hero. Expectations skyrocketed in anticipation of a good World Cup showing. That dream was blown up in the air following some of the worst performances from the Black Stars at the global soccer Mundial. At that point, he became a villain.
But Ghana strangely kept faith with him. After a period of negotiations, Addo assumed the reins of the Stars technical bench but once again failed woefully; missing out from the 2026 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In the end, he set an unwanted record of breaking a 20-year continuous participation at the African football festival.
In many quarters, that was unforgivable and would have been dragged to Golgotha Gethsemane for crucifixion.
Few months down the line, Coach Otto Addo and his team, which came under huge criticism for their underperformances, have been hailed for the improvement and hunger shown to the USA, Canada, and Mexico World Cup qualifiers.
From the lower ranks of the Group I table, the Black Stars currently lead the group with three points. They have 15 points and followed by Comoros with 12 with four matches to go.
That was made possible by scintillating displays against the group’s whipping boys, Chad, who conceded five in Accra and Madagascar who conceded three.
The transition from a team described as ‘one-goal project’ for winning matches with a goal margins to one that scores freely and defends with gusto seems magical and has gotten fans applauding.
That should tell Otto Addo that Ghanaians are not against him. All they care about are the deliverables – win, win, win and qualify for the World Cup.
And in doing so, he must ensure the right caliber of players are invited to ensure that the job is done.
His caution against complacency is quite instructive and every worker around the team must know. The enthusiasm is high now; the fans showed the love in the last two matches, so what is left now is for Otto Addo and his charges to deliver another World Cup. Failure to do that could see a return to ‘factory settings.’
By Andrew Nortey
Sports
MTN FA Cup: Kotoko tipped to end True Democracy dream
A soccer bonanza awaits football lovers this weekend as all four MTN FA Cup quarter-final matches take centre stage at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, seeking semifinal berths.
With nine FA Cup trophies in their trophy cabinet, three less than their bitter rivals, Hearts of Oak, who are on 12, Kumasi Asante Kotoko will be eager to get past Division One League (DOL) side, True Democracy, as they clash tomorrow at 7pm.
Kotoko, one of the two clubs in the last eight has been tagged by many connoisseurs to be the ultimate winners of this year’s trophy.
However; they are threading cautiously because of the uncertainties that surrounds the competition.
Kotoko often struggle against the lower-tier sides, but having gotten that close to the trophy, they would be hoping to capitalise on their home advantage to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
For the Tema-based True Democracy FC side, this offers huge platform to prove that their victories over former champions, Dreams FC and FC Nania, were no fluke.
Coming up against a mighty side like Kotoko in their first-ever appearance in the quarter-final stage, they would look to draw strength from the competition mantra to scale that hurdle.
Referee Maxwell Hanson will be in charge with Gabriel Boateng and Isaac Duodu assisting while Gabriel Opoku Arhin will be the fourth referee.
This stage of the competition kicks off today with two thrilling encounters. Division One League outfits, Attram De Vesser and PAC Academy, going at each other at 3pm.
Referee Angelous Akurugu Adonko, a product of the ‘Catch Them Young’ refereeing policy, will be assisted by Abraham Partey and Philip Amoh, with Theophilus Antwi Sekyi as the fourth official.
That clash will be followed by the highly anticipated Bono derby between 2016 champions, Bechem United, and Berekum Chelsea at 7pm.
FIFA referee, Julian Nunoo, will take charge of this with FIFA assistant referees Emmanuel Dolagbanu and Roland Addy assisting on the lines while Abdul Latif Adaari acts as the fourth referee.
The winner of this game will face Kotoko or True Democracy in the semis.
Tomorrow at 3pm, giant killers, Golden Kick, will take on Karela United.
Young referee Kingsford Oteng Yeboah will be assisted by Joseph Teye Awasasi and Haruna Yakubu, with Alex Amoabeng as the fourth official to officiate the game.
By Raymond Ackumey
