Former Black Stars coach Otto Addo has provided valuable counsel to the Ghanaian national football team as they gear up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Emphasising the need for a strategic approach, Addo urges the team to prioritise a step-by-step method rather than being fixated solely on clinching the trophy.
Ghana is slated to face formidable adversaries in Group B, including Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique, during the AFCON tournament scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, 2023.
Speaking in anticipation of the competition, Otto Addo, who previously helmed the Black Stars during their 2022 World Cup campaign, underscores the importance of cultivating a gradual mindset. As the team navigates through the challenges ahead, Addo’s advice serves as a reminder to focus on the process rather than solely fixating on the end result.
“Step-by-step thinking is far better. If you are aiming too far away, it is difficult to fulfil them because you have to work daily. You have to train hard, you have to win each game, and the rest will come,” he told GTV.
When questioned about Ghana’s chances of breaking the 41-year wait for an AFCON trophy, the former Black Stars boss highlighted the importance of doing the groundwork first.
“It doesn’t make sense to always think about the cup or whatever; you have to do your homework first. There is some work you have to put in to survive the group stage and go to the next stage, and at the end, to win it, it is so much work,” he added.
Addo stressed the importance of instilling the right mentality within the entire Black Stars entourage as they enter the tournament. “Having the correct mindset is crucial in every moment. Even with the goal of winning, it’s essential to understand that sustaining that level requires continuous hard work. Therefore, my advice is for them to approach it game by game,” he emphasised.
Ghana’s quest for AFCON glory has been a prolonged one since their last triumph in Libya in 1982. The journey to end this title drought demands meticulous planning and precise execution, making Addo’s counsel on a focused, game-by-game approach all the more pertinent.