Wilson Arthur, MTN FA Cup committee chairman has urged Ghanaians to support Black Stars coach Otto Addo ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
Some Ghanaians and pundits have described Otto Addo as a part-time coach and others have questioned his coaching abilities.
According to Wilson Arthur supporters should have faith in Otto Addo and also allow him to select players for the tournament.
“The coaches we have given them a job their job is to take Ghana and perform. God been so good they have secured qualification for us. The matches we played with Nigeria we thought we will not qualify especially playing a goalless draw here. We went there and played a formation and system which gave us the qualification,” he said on Peace FM as monitored by footballghana.com
“He has plotted his formation and system he will use at the World Cup. When you analyze his second half is always good. It tells you that at least he can read the game and change things. Left to me we should have faith in him he should select players that are strategically fit to his system he wants to play,”
“When he goes and the team doesn’t perform if they know how to play we always know how to watch. If we see that what he is doing is not good then we can question him but those he will select that is not our area,”
The Ghana Football Association have confirmed that there will be a live press conference for Black Stars coach, Otto Addo to announcement his final 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In a communique sighted by GhanaWeb, the GFA announced Monday, November 14, 2022, as the day Black Stars coach, Otto Addo will announce his final World Cup squad to Ghanaians live on TV.
According to grapevine, Felix Afena-Gyan, Mubarak Wakaso, John Painstil, Majeed Ashimeru, and Jeffrey Schlupp are the major names dropped from the 55-man squad.
They will begin their World Cup campaign against Portugal on November 24, followed by South Korea on November 28, and conclude against Uruguay on December 2 at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakra.
NFL powerhouses On November 12, Borussia Dortmund would let Ghana’s coach, Otto Addo, go ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
After this weekend’s round of games, all European teams will have a breather in preparation for the eagerly awaited world championship in the Arab nation.
The final match for Dortmund is against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday, November 11.
Otto Addo has already named his 55-man provisional list and the squad will be whittled down to 26 for the tournament which is scheduled for Qatar from November 20 – December 18, 2022.
Black Stars make a return to the tournament after missing out on the 2018 edition in Russia and have been drawn in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.
Ghana will take on Portugal in their first game on November 24 before playing South Korea and Uruguay on November 28 and December 2 respectively.
Black Stars will play Switzerland in an International friendly on November 17, before travelling to Qatar for the World Cup.
Ibrahim Sannie Daara has lauded the Black Stars technical team of the Black Stars, led by Otto Addo, saying they are top-notch.
Following the dismissal of Milovan Rajevac after the country’s poor performance in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] in Cameroon, the Ghana Football Association [GFA] named Otto Addo as the new head coach.
Mas-Ud Didi Dramani and George Boateng were named as the assistant coaches.
Former Brighton and Norwich manager, Chris Hughton was also named as the technical advisor for the team.
Addo and the rest of the technical team members masterminded Ghana’s qualification to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at the expense of Nigeria.
Despite several Ghanaians calling for the exit of Otto Addo after Ghana’s friendly against Brazil and Nicaragua, Sannie Daara says the Borussia Dortmund assistant coach and the rest of the technical team are the right men for the job.
According to the former Ghana Football Association [GFA] Communications Director, they are top-notch and called on Ghanaians to support the team.
“Look at somebody like Otto Addo and the work he has done at Borussia Dortmund and even with the Black Stars, I think we must be convinced,” he said on Asempa FM.
“You have George Boateng who managed Aston Villa U-23 side and Chris Hughton, who has coached at the highest level in the Premier League, and Didi Dramani who has also worked with FC Nordsjaeland, these are men that are top notch.
“How many black coaches get top jobs in Europe but Otto Addo is at Dortmund. For me, we must support them and I know they are the right men for the job,” he added.
Otto Addo will lead the Black Stars to the Mundial in Qatar. He is expected to name his final 26-man squad on November 14.
Ghana has been housed in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay.
Former Ghana Football Association [GFA] Communications Director, Ibrahim Sannie Daara has reiterated that the Black Stars have the quality to play in the semi-final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Ghana will make their fourth appearance in the Mundial after missing out on the last edition hosted in Russia in 2018.
The quality of the team after the Brazil and Nicaragua games played in September has been criticized.
The team will wrap up their preparations with a friendly game against Switzerland on November 17 in Abu Dhabi.
However, Sannie Daara, who has worked closely with the team believes the team has the full quality to make an impact and play in the semi-final of the tournament.
According to him, Otto Addo, who is the head coach has paraded a side and has created competition among the players.
“I have very much convinced about our chances,” he said on Asempa FM.
“If you look at the team now, Otto Addo has been able to create a competition among the players and every position now has three players competing for the playing spot.
“I hope that Brazil does not come on the way and if that happens, the Black Stars can play in the semi-final. I am convinced about that because we have the quality,” he added.
Ghana will open officially open camp on November 10 in Abu Dhabi. Otto Addo will name his final 26-man squad on November 14.
Ghana, who have been housed in Group H will open their campaign against Portugal on November 24 at Stadium 974 in Doha.
Four days later, the Black Stars return to action with a clash with South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.
Ghana will wrap up their group stage adventure with their much-anticipated encounter with Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.
Ghana coach Otto Addo has managed to drop fifth highest scorer in the Portuguese top flight Abdul-Aziz Yakubu from Ghana’s 55-man provisional WC squad.
The Ghana forward has had a great start to the season so far in the Portuguese Primeira Liga for his club.
Abdul-Aziz Yakubu has scored five goals in 11 league games in the Portuguese Primeira Liga which means he’s the fifth-best scorer but third in terms of goals scored as three players are tied on six goals.
In the Portuguese the top-flight this season, he has also provided three assists for Rio Ave who returned to the top-flight league in Portugal this season.
The forward has formed a formidable partnership with Emmanuel Boateng in Rio Ave’s attack, complementing each other quite well and banging in the goals for the Green and Whites outfit.
Aziz has scored more goals than Felix Afena-Gyan, Kwasi Wriedt, Caleb Ekuban and Antoine Semenyo and has the same number of league goals as Inaki Williams.
The young attacker was tipped to make the final 26-man squad but has surprisingly been excluded from the 55-man squad submitted by the Ghana head coach Otto Addo.
The Black Stars is returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018, where France emerged as winners.
Ghana has been housed in Group H at the mundial against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
The Black Stars will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 before taking on Uruguay and South Korea respectively.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in Qatar.
Ahead of the mundial, Otto Addo has unveil his provisional squad which included captain Andre Ayew and Jordan Ayew, Tariq Lamptey, Mohammed Salisu and Thomas Partey.
Meanwhile, Hearts of Oak duo of Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Denis Korsah and Kotoko’s Danlad Ibrahim are the only local players to have made the list.
Former Ghana head coach, CK Akonnor is undoubtedly confident Otto Addo will excel at the World Cup with the help of his assistants, George Boateng, Didi Dramani and technical advisor, Chris Hughton.
According to him, he had the chance to talk to assistant coach George Boateng and Technical advisor Chris Hughton when he was in charge of the national team.
In an interview, Akonnor casted no doubt about Otto Addo as he believes he will have the needed help to perform well.
“Otto Addo is our coach now. He’s got Didi Dramani, George Boateng and Chris Hughton. These guys are very knowledgeable; they understand the game. Chris is a huge guy in the Premier League so definitely they will help.
“George Boateng I was supposed to work with him when I was head coach so I had the chance of meeting him. In that same moment, I met Chris and spoke to him.
“When you talk to them you can clearly see you are already on the field. They will help Otto Addo and he will do well so we should be positive,” CK Akonnor told Joy Sports in an interview.
Ghana has been housed in Group H at the mundial against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
The Black Stars will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 before taking on Uruguay and South Korea respectively.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in Qatar.
Ghana have gone through three coaches in the space of 12 months and are making a concerted effort to add new talent to the team in an effort to reprise old glory and prove competitive at the World Cup.
Otto Addo, with no previous senior coaching experience and combing his role as talent manager at German club Borussia Dortmund, will be leading the Black Stars’ campaign in Qatar where they take on Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.
He is the third coach in the last year to take charge of the team after Charles Akonnor was fired despite advancing Ghana through the group phase of the African World Cup qualifiers and into the playoffs in March, and Milovan Rajevac, shown the door after a disastrous Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon at start of the year.
Rajevac had been brought back after his exploits with the team in 2010, when Ghana came within the width of the crossbar of becoming the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals.
But there proved few similarities in strength between the class of 2010 and the current generation and to strengthen the side there has been a concerted effort to strengthen the squad by persuading players with Ghanaian heritage to join, like former Spain international Inaki Williams and Tariq Lamptey, the England under-21 fullback from Brighton.
COACH
Otto ADDO
Born in Hamburg, Germany to Ghanaian parents, he was part of Borussia Dortmund’s Bundesliga winning team in 2002. His career was blighted by serious injury but he did play for Ghana at the 2006 World Cup. He finished his playing days at Hamburg SV and then coached their juniors, while also scouting players in Europe for Ghana. Then at Dortmund he first coached juniors and is now talent manager, combining the role with the that of the Ghana job that he was surprisingly offered in February.
PROFILES
GK
Richard OFORI
He was Ghana’s first choice before he suffered a knee injury in last year’s World Cup qualifier in South Africa, at the stadium where he plays his club football for Orlando Pirates. It kept him out for six months and meant he lost the number one jersey which he has not had a chance to get back.
Abdul Manaf NURUDEEN
A graduate of the Aspire Academy in Senegal and through the Qatar connections moved to Eupen in Belgium in 2017, while competing for Ghana at under-20 level. Last season he broke through into Eupen’s first team and was a back up goalkeeper at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in January.
Joe WOLLACOTT
Born in Bristol, Wollacott started at local club Bristol City but made his breakthrough in his early 20s only at Swindon Town in League Two, where he had first gone on an emergency seven-day loan but ended up earning himself a one-year permanent deal. His father is from Ghana and he was called up after Ofori got injured.
DF
Tariq LAMPTEY
Ghana persuaded the England under-21 international, who started at Chelsea and is now at Brighton & Hove Albion, to switch allegiance in a major boost to their World Cup hopes. The debut for the London-born fullback came in September in the friendly against Brazil, the team of his long time idol Dani Alves.
Denis ODOI
Ghana was always a sensitive issue for Belgium-born Odoi because of a non-existent relationship with his Ghanaian father. He played one game for Belgium in 2012 in a friendly against Montenegro but, in March, at the age of 32 he suddenly agreed to play for the Black Stars and helped them to qualify for the World Cup.
Mohammed SALISU
Highly rated Southampton centre back refused previous call-ups from Ghana saying he wanted to concentrate on his emerging club career in the Premier League, only relenting in September. A prodigious talent, he made his LaLiga debut at 20 at Real Valladolid and moved to Southampton for 11-milion pounds two years ago.
Gideon MENSAH
Left back who was relegated with Girondins Bordeaux last season but has stayed up in Ligue 1 with promoted AJ Auxerre. He was brought to Europe by Red Bull and helped Salzburg win the Uefa Youth League in 2017. He played in both legs of the World Cup playoff victory over Nigeria in March.
Joseph AIDOO
Left out of the squad for this year’s Cup of Nations finals but was brought back for the two last warm-up friendlies in September, where he sat on the bench. He competed the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand and at club level has played in Sweden and Belgium and now with Celta Vigo in LaLiga.
Abdul-Rahman BABA
Flying full back who likes to get up and down the flanks and who might have had a much more successful club career at Chelsea had he not suffered numerous injuries. Chelsea paid 14-milion pounds to buy him but he has never been able to break through and been repeatedly sent out on loan.
Daniel AMARTEY
Perfect player to have in the squad because he has play at centre back, which is his most frequent position, but also at right back or as a defensive midfielder. He is now in his eighth season with Leicester City and completing a seventh year in the Black Stars line-up.
Alexander DJIKU
One of the players competing for a centre back role at the World Cup, he is a consistent performer in Ligue 1 although his club Racing Strasbourg have been struggling this season. Born in Montpellier, he was close to a move to the Bundesliga this past summer but it fell through at the last moment.
Alidu SEIDU
Travelled a circuitous route to Europe to realise his dream of becoming a professional footballer, via the Ivory Coast to join Clermont Foot, who he helped win promotion to Ligue 1 two seasons ago. He has come into the Ghana squad since the arrival of Otto Addo as coach.
Stephan AMBROSIUS
Played one game for Germany at under-21 level but coach Addo has persuaded him to try and make the Ghana squad for the World Cup. Played at Hamburger SV first but this season moved to Karlsruhe in the German second division where he is a towering presence at centre back.
MD
Thomas PARTEY
Explosive midfield presence who is the muscle of the team but has struggled with consistency as a myriad of niggles and knocks have taken their toll. One of the most expensive African footballers, who moved to Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in a 45-million pound move, he will be the heart of the Ghana side in Qatar.
Elisha OWUSU
His defensive work-rate and prolific ball-winning ability has caught the eye this season in the Europa League with Belgian club KAA Gent. He was born in Paris but grew up at Olympique Lyonnaise where he was captain when they won the under-17 French championship in 2016 but later suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury.
Daniel-Kofi KYEREH
Highly rated attacking midfielder was born in Accra but brought up in Germany, where he played for VfL Wolfsburg as a junior, at St Pauli in the second division and now Freiburg in the top flgith, who he joined in the off-season. Kyereh likes nothing more than racing forward with the ball glued to his feet, using close control and skill to carve open gaps.
Andre AYEW
First player to get to over 100 caps for Ghana, Ayew has a charming left foot and tumbling running style that reminds strongly of his father Abedi Pele, who was a three-time African Footballer of the Year. Andre plays well in the ‘false 9’ role or in the left attacking channel.
Mohammed KUDUS
Strong midfield player who this season has also been used as a centre forward by his Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam, notably in their Uefa Champions League campaign. He is a product of the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana, who also own the Danish club FC Nordsjaelland, which they use as a vehicle to take players across to Europe.
Iddrisu BABA
Midfield enforcer who plays in front of the back four, he has been on the books of LaLiga club Mallorca for the past six years. He was born in Accra but grew up in Spain, where he was a youth team player at Leganes first.
FW
Issahaku Abdul FATAWU
Right winger with pace and a cannonball shot who, at the age of 18, is tipped as one of African football’s next top talents. Chosen as the best player at last year’s African Youth Championship and called up to the senior side almost straight away and has also recently made a debut for Sporting Lisbon.
Jordan AYEW
The English-based striker is famous for frustrating fans with his constant dribbling, often too selfish with the ball. Second son of the ex-Ghana captain Abedi Pele, he was born in France and began his career at Olympique Marseille before his move to England at Aston Villa, Swansea City and now Crystal Palace.
Osman BUKARI
Explosive winger, capable of playing on either flak of the attack, who has made a good start to his career at new club Red Star Belgrade. The former European Cup winners are his fourth side in four different European countries after Trencin (Slovakia), KAA Gent (Belgium) and last season with Nantes, who he helped win the French Cup.
Felix AFENA-GYAN
Has strength and speed and is also capable of playing on the right, but his best position is at centre forward, where he plays for Serie A newcomers Cremonese after moving from Roma in August. Roma spotted him playing at Presbyterian Senior High School in Berekum, where he was also a track star.
Inaki WILLIAMS
Basque born striker who played for Spain but has since switched allegiance and debuted for Ghana in September. His younger brother Nico will be at the World Cup with Spain. Inaki plays as a classic centre forward and has been on fire for Athletic Bilbao this season.
Kamaldeen SULEMANA
Another player for whom a bright future at the highest level is predicted. Plays wide on the left and likes to terrorised defenders in one v one situations. French club Stade Rennes paid 20-million for his services but the likes of Ajax Amsterdam, Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester United and Liverpool have all been watching him.
Antoine SEMENYO
Described as ‘a nightmare to play against’, the striker is English-born and plays at boyhood club Bristol City, and was linked with a move to Premier League clubs before the start of the season. He has electric pace, agility and tricky feet, and is a difficult player to mark due to his clever movement off the ball.
Daniel AFRIYIE
He will be hoping to become the only home-based player in the Ghana squad, who was Footballer of the Year in Ghana in 2021 as he helped Hearts of oak to take the championship. Typical hard running striker with a fearsome shot he faces a lot of competition for a place in the World Cup squad.
Benjamin TETTEH
Right-footed forward best suited to playing as a centre forward. Moved from Ghana to Standard Liege in 2015. Since he has played in the Czech Republic and Turkey and won a call-up to the national team last October during the World Cup qualifiers.
Ransford-Yeboah KONIGSDORFFER
Recently bought by German second division side Hamburg, he has switched from Germany’s under-21 side to the Black Stars and debuted in September in the friendly win over Nicaragua. He is a right sided wide player described as a top talent for the future.
Joseph PAINTSIL
Adept both in midfield and attack, he has just signed a new three year deal for Racing Genk. His Belgian club have used him more in a striking role this season and he has averaged a goal every second game. He was a teenager when he made his debut with Tema Youth in Ghana’s Premier League.
Former Black Stars head coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor has urged Ghanaians to remain positive ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The West African country will be making their fourth appearance at the World Cup after missing the previous competition held in Russia four years ago.
Ghana have been drawn in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.
“Otto Addo is our coach now,” CK Akonnor told Joy Sports.
“He’s got Didi Dramani, George Boateng and Chris Hughton. These guys are very knowledgeable, they understand the game; Chris is a huge guy in the Premier League, so definitely, they will help,” he stated.
The former Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko gaffer added, “[George] Boateng, I was supposed to work with him when I was head coach so I had the chance of meeting him, in that same moment I met Chris and spoke to him.”
“When you talk to them you can clearly see you are on the field already. They know what the game is about. They will help Otto Addo, and he will do well, so we should be positive.”
Ghana will take on Portugal in their first game on November 24 before playing South Korea and Uruguay on November 28 and December 2 respectively.
Assistant coach of the Black Stars, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has insisted that the head coach of the side, Otto Addo is fully in charge of player call-up to the national team.
Addo earned the praise from the football fraternity after steering the country’s qualification to the 2022 World Cup at the expense of Nigeria in March.
Over the years, officials of the Ghana Football Association [GFA] have been accused of influencing player call-up into the national team.
However, Didi Dramani, a former Asante Kotoko gaffer speaking to Graphic Sports reiterated that Addo is in charge of player call-up.
According to him, the technical team, headed by the 46-year-old is fully in charge of player selection without any interference from the GFA president or any other official.
“Let me say that there has never been any interference from the GFA President, Kurt (Simeon-Okraku) since we were appointed,” he said.
“No official has ever imposed any player on us so far. He (Kurt) can only share his opinion like anybody else, but he has never imposed any player on us,” he emphasized.
Otto Addo is expected to name his final 26-man squad for the Mundial on November 14.
Ghana head coach, Otto Addo has indicated that his focus ahead of the 2022 FIFA world cup is to get the Black Stars out of Group H.
According to him, if the Ghana national team can cross that hurdle, then everything will be possible for the Black Stars in the upcoming tournament.
“First of all we want to play our style of play and I think Ghanaian teams in the past always play good football.
“This is what we want and we had previous tournaments showed that Ghana has good footballers.
“Our football comes surely with victories and I think this is the first thing we want. If we can survive the group stage which I said is going to be very tough, then anything is possible,” Coach Otto Addo shared.
The Ghana head coach added, “I know that we can beat every team in the world. Everybody knows that the World Cup, will not come like the whole world expects things to be. I think the first match is very decisive and from there we can know how to go on the second match.”
At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Ghana will face Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea in Group H.
There aren’t many better ways to endear yourself to your fans than by beating your closest rival. Knocking them out of contention for the FIFA World Cup in the process, meanwhile, escalates one’s status further faster.
Otto Addo had only played briefly for Ghana, a 15-cap stint that lasted from 1999 till 2006. But the former attacker found himself thrust into the limelight when the Black Stars needed someone to show them the way.
Addo had been acting as assistant to the head coach Milovan Rajevac since 2021 and watched from the sidelines as his team lost to Morocco and Comoros at the Africa Cup of Nations and suffered an embarrassing group stage elimination.
Rajevac did not last long after that. Days after Ghana were knocked out of the continental competition, the federation decided to part ways with the Serbian and installed Addo in his place on an interim basis. His first task: beat rivals Nigeria in the two-legged third-round play-off for a spot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
With their new head coach lacking experience at the upper-most level, and a crunch tie on the horizon, the federation moved quickly to add the same to the coaching team.
Raising several eyebrows, the Black Stars appointed former Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton — who has Ghanaian roots — as a technical advisor.
Former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough player George Boateng and experienced coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani joined the staff, too.
Chris Hughton, the Nottingham Forest manager, issues instructions during the Sky Bet Championship match against Cardiff City at City Ground on September 12, 2021, in Nottingham, England. (Photo: Getty Images)
The new team assembled in time for the fixture – a two-legged tie was played over four days with the first leg in Kumasi on March 25 and the return leg in Abuja on March 29, 2022.
The old rivals drew 0-0 in Ghana and 1-1 in Nigeria, allowing the former to seal a berth in Qatar based on the away-goal rule.
Ghana rewarded their new coaching quartet for the job they did by renewing their deals until the end of the year, confirming their place in the dugout for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
The Black Stars also enhanced their preparations by recruiting five new players, the most high-profile among them Athletic Club forward Inaki Williams and Brighton full-back Tariq Lamptey.
Otto Addo, who, before joining the Ghana set-up, was a talent coach at Borussia Dortmund, tasked with helping young and promising players transition from the youth to the senior team, seems to have the appropriate skills to help bring the new stars into the fold.
Add to that, the experience of Hughton and the team’s set-up begins to look promising. Quarter-finals remain the best finish Ghana have achieved in a FIFA World Cup, and, after a four-year-long absence, the Black Stars will be looking to match – or better – the accomplishments of their past under a new-look coaching team.
Even though they participated in qualifying, Habib Mohammed claims that the coach has the last say in which players join the World Cup roster.
The Black Stars’ interim roster, which Otto Addo submitted to FIFA on October 21, 2022, has not yet been made public.
Prior to Ghana’s departure for Doha, Qatar, Addo will reduce the big provisional roster to 26 players.
The former left-back for King Faisal and Kotoko said that Ratomir Dujkovi selected him despite missing the 2006 World Cup qualification matches due to his performance in two pre-tournament friendlies.
“I didn’t play in the World Cup qualifiers [in 2006], but before the tournament, I played two friendlies and impressed coach Ratomir Dujkovic, who included me in the squad,” he told Onue Sports
“It’s not compulsory that because you participated in qualifiers you have to go to the World Cup. The final decision is made by the coach. Whether or not a player competed in qualifiers, the coach decides who goes to the World Cup,”
At the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Habib Mohammed played in two matches for Ghana, helping the country in making it all the way to the knockout rounds for the first time.
Mohammed made a total of eight appearances for the senior national team the Black Stars.
Ex-Ghana winger Laryea Kingston is confident coach Ghana Otto Addo has a fine blend of experienced and young talents who have the potential to excel at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Black Stars make a return to the tournament after missing out on the 2018 edition in Russia.
Ghana will take on Portugal in their first game in Group H on November 24 before playing South Korea and Uruguay on November 28 and December 2 respectively.
“The team is full of quality players who have the potential to make a good account of themselves at the biggest stage of world football,” Kingston told Daily Graphic.
“I have confidence in the technical team to deliver on their mandate and all I ask is for them to be clinical in their attack.”
Black Stars will play Switzerland in an International friendly on November 17, before travelling to Qatar for the World Cup.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup takes place between November 20 and December 18
Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.
Black Stars head coach, Otto Addo, has confidently stated that his charges are capable of beating any team in the World.
Ghana are set to make their fourth appearance at the World Cup and will head into the 2022 World Cup as the lowest-ranked country among all the 32 participating countries.
Speaking with TV3, Otto Addo stated that, although his team is capable of beating any team, the first game will be decisive because it will determine how they will approach the second game.
“We can beat any team in the World, that one is for sure. I think it’s the first game for us but also the opponent can be very very decisive on how to go on the second one. Because surely you will go into a match differently if you need points. Then if the opponent has lost and you have 3 points or 1 point, it is a bit different. The first match is very decisive and then from there we can know how to go on the second match,” he said.
The Black Stars have a tall order at the World Cup as they have pitted against Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay in Group H of the World Cup.
Ghana legend, Charles Taylor wants the head coach of the Black Stars, Otto Addo sacked with less than a month to the start of the 2022 World Cup.
Following the country’s qualification to the Mundial, the team has not been convincing with several questioning Otto Addo’s tactics.
Taylor, who played for both Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak believes Otto lacks the technical know-how to manage the Black Stars at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
He however added that although Otto Addo is spoilt with options, the gaffer lacks the ability to put together a competitive team.
“That is why I’ve said for Otto Addo, he is not a coach to lead Ghana to the World Cup. Because he has the team all right but he does not know how to organize them,” he told Angel TV.
“So we should rather look for those who can put the team together so that the players who are actively playing will be handed the start while those who are not playing actively will be on the bench,” he added.
Otto Addo currently holds a record of two wins, four draws, and two defeats in 8 games.
The Black Stars have been pitted against Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay in Group H of the World Cup.
Ghana coach Otto Addo has reportedly announced his provisional squad ahead of the start of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in Qatar.
Ghana will open their World Cup account against Portugal before taking Uruguay and South Korea respectively.
According to Daily Graphic, Otto Addo has settled on a 38-man provisional to fight for a place in the final list for the munbdial.
Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Danlad Ibrahim are the two local players to make the provisional squad.
Otto Addo will name his final 26-man squad on November 14.
The Black Stars will begin their preparations for the mundial early November, but coach Otto Addo will expects to get full house in the second week of November, where all leagues will go on break for the World Cup.
Before the commencement of the World Cup in the Asian country, the four-time African Champions will play European country, Switzerland as their final preparatory game for the mundial.
The crucial friendly game has been scheduled for November 17.
Ghana is returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018, where France emerged as the eventual winners.
Below is the 38-man provisional list:
Goalkeepers: Jojo Wollacott, Ibrahim Danlad, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Abdul Nurudeen
Defenders: Andy Yiadom, Dennis Odoi, Alexander Djiku, Daniel Amartey, Baba Rahamn, Mohammed Salisu, Gideon Mensah, Joseph Aidoo, Alidu Seidu, Baba Iddirus, Stephen Ambrosius, Tariq Lamptey, Jeffery Schlupp
Midfielders: Andre Ayew, Thomas Partey, Kudus Mohammed, Mubarak Wakaso, Danniel Kofi Kyereh, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Joseph Paintsil, Ransford Yeboah Konigsdorffer, Osman Bukari, Gideon Mensah, Majeed Ashimeru, Edmund Addo, Elisha Owusu
Forwards: Jordan Ayew, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Kwasi Wriedt, Felix Afena-Gyan, Callum Hudson-Odoi
Ghana international Christopher Antwi-Adjei has opened up on his Black Stars chances ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The 28-year-old made his first start this season for Bochum against third-tier side SV Elversberg during the DFB Pokal.
The winger has only made five substitutions in the Bundesliga this season due to injury setbacks.
“From time to time there is contact, most recently two or three weeks ago,” he said.
“Now there isn’t that much time left. I can only step on the gas on the pitch – everything else is up to the national coach.”
Meanwhile Ghana coach Otto Addo is expected to submit a list of up to 35 players to FIFA, and players are waiting for the announcement with bated breath.
Players who will miss out in the provisional list will be unable to participate in the biggest soccer mundial this year.
The Ghana coach will announce his final 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup on November 14.
Players who are assured of a place in the team include Andre Ayew, Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Baba Rahman, Daniel Amartey, and Alexander Djiku, as well as newcomers Inaki Williams, Mohammed Salisu and Tariq Lamptey.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in the Asian country.
The West African powerhouse are housed in Group H and will face Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
Ghana will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 and will then play South Korea on November 28 and Uruguay in their final group match on December 2.
According to reports, the trio have their names on the list that is expected to be made official in the late hours of Friday, October 21, 2022.
Jeffrey Schlupp last appeared for the Black Stars in 2021, when Ghana beat Ethiopia in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Whereas Salis, received his maiden Black Stars call-up in January 2022 but could not honour the invitation due to injury.
British-born Ghanaian, Callum Hudson Odoi has been a long-term target for Ghana and the Ghana Football Association have seemly convinced him to switch his nationality to Ghana.
The 22nd edition of the world’s most prestigious football competition will kick off on November 19, 2022, and as such, the 32 competing teams will begin campaigning in the first week of November.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s group opponent Uruguay have announced a 55-man provisional squad for the World Cup.
Black Stars coach, Otto Addo, has reportedly included Salis Seidu, Callum Hudson Odoi and Jeffrey Schlupp in his soon-to-be-announced provisional squad for Ghana’s upcoming campaign for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Friday, October 21, 2022.
According to reports, the trio have their names on the list that is expected to be made official in the late hours of Friday, October 21, 2022.
Jeffrey Schlupp last appeared for the Black Stars in 2021, when Ghana beat Ethiopia in the FIFA World Cup qualifies.
For Salis, he received his maiden Black Stars call-up in January 2022 but could not honour the invitation due to injury.
British-born Ghanaian, Callum Hudson Odoi has been a long-term target for Ghana and the Ghana Football Association have seemly convinced him to switch his nationality to Ghana.
The 55-man list will be later trimmed to 26 a week before the start of the competition in Qatar.
The 22nd edition of the world’s most prestigious football competition will kick off on November 19, 2022, and as such, the 32 competing teams will begin campaigning in the first week of November.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s group opponent Uruguay have announced a 55-man provisional squad for the World Cup.
The Black Stars have been paired in Group H alongside South Korea, Portugal, and Uruguay.
Ghana coach Otto Addo will settle on his final 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup on November 14.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in the Asian country.
The West African powerhouse who are returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018 are housed in Group H and will face Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
Ghana will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 and will then play South Korea on November 28 and Uruguay in their final group match on December 2.
Footballghana.com understands, the Borussia Dortmund talent Development coach will settle on a strong 26-man final squad six days to the start of World Cup.
The Black Stars will begin their preparations for the mundial early November, but coach Otto Addo will expects to get full house in the second week of November, where all leagues will go on break for the World Cup.
In September, Ghana engaged in two friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua. The Black Stars lost 3-0 to the South American giants but recovered to beat Nicaragua 1-0.
Before the commencement of the World Cup in the Asian country, the four-time African Champions will play European country, Switzerland as their final preparatory game for the mundial.
The crucial friendly game has been scheduled for November 17.
Ghana is returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018, where France emerged as the eventual winners.
Since securing World Cup berth over Nigeria, the Black Stars has only won two games from a couple of games played.
They defeated Madagascar in the AFCON qualifiers and Nicaragua in a pre-World Cup friendly.
Ghana drew with Central African Republic in the same AFCON qualifiers and struggled against Japan with a humiliating defeat during the Kirin Cup in June.
Ghanaian players are nervous as Black Stars coach Otto Addo prepare to name his provisional squad for the 2022 World Cup.
Otto Addo will submit a list of up to 35 players to FIFA, and players are waiting for the announcement with bated breath.
Players who will miss out in the provisional list will be unable to participate in the biggest soccer mundial this year.
The Ghana coach will announce his final 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup on November 14,
Players who are assured of a place in the team include Andre Ayew, Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Baba Rahman, Daniel Amartey, and Alexander Djiku, as well as newcomers Inaki Williams, Mohammed Salisu and Tariq Lamptey.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in the Asian country.
The West African powerhouse are housed in Group H and will face Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
Ghana will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 and will then play South Korea on November 28 and Uruguay in their final group match on December 2.
The Black Stars will begin their preparations for the mundial early November, but coach Otto Addo will expects to get full house in the second week of November, where all leagues will go on break for the World Cup.
In September, Ghana engaged in two friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua. The Black Stars lost 3-0 to the South American giants but recovered to beat Nicaragua 1-0.
Before the commencement of the World Cup in the Asian country, the four-time African Champions will play European country, Switzerland as their final preparatory game for the mundial.
The crucial friendly game has been scheduled for November 17.
Ghana is returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018, where France emerged as the eventual winners.
Since securing World Cup berth over Nigeria, the Black Stars has only won two games from a couple of games played.
They defeated Madagascar in the AFCON qualifiers and Nicaragua in a pre-World Cup friendly.
Ghana coach Otto Addo will announce his final 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup on November 14.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in the Asian country.
The West African powerhouse are housed in Group H and will face Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
Ghana will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 and will then play South Korea on November 28 and Uruguay in their final group match on December 2.
The Ghana coach is expected to announce his final squad of 26 players, six days to the start of the tournament.
The Black Stars will begin their preparations for the mundial early November, but coach Otto Addo will get full house in the second week of November, where all leagues will go on break for the World Cup.
In September, Ghana engaged in two friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua. The Black Stars lost 3-0 to the South American giants but recovered to beat Nicaragua 1-0.
Before the commencement of the World Cup in the Asian country, the four-time African Champions will play European country, Switzerland as their final preparatory game for the mundial.
The crucial friendly game has been scheduled for November 17.
Ghana is returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018, where France emerged as the eventual winners.
Since securing World Cup berth over Nigeria, the Black Stars has only won two games from a couple of games played.
They defeated Madagascar in the AFCON qualifiers and Nicaragua in a pre-World Cup friendly.
Ghana drew with Central African Republic in the same AFCON qualifiers and struggled against Japan with a humiliating defeat during the Kirin Cup in June.
Felix Afena-Gyan of Ghana has expressed his joy after scoring his first goal for U.S. Cremonese in their 4-2 Coppa Italia victory over Modena on Thursday.
To make his entrance in the match, the 19-year-old, who transferred to the team from AS Roma during the summer transfer window, climbed off the bench.
Afena-Gyan was introduced in the 68th-minute mark replacing Tommaso Milanese when his outfit defeated Modena 4-2 on home turf after extra time in the Coppa Italia Round 32 to progress.
Cremonese opened the scoring through David Okereke in the 77th minute before the Ghanaian attacker added the side second goal in the 84th minute mark.
But Davide Diaw hit a brace in the 89th and 90th minute to level pegging, forcing the game to extra-time.
Cremonese proved to be tough for Modena as Leonardo Sernicola scored brace in extra-time to make it 4-2 at the end of the game.
Afena-Gyan has scored one goal in four appearances for Cremonese this season.
Afena-Gyan is expected to be included in coach Otto Addo’s provisional squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Friday.
Afena-Gyan was introduced in the 68th minute mark replacing Tommaso Milanese when his outfit defeated Modena 4-2 on home turf after extra time in the Coppa Italia Round 32 to progress.
Cremonese opened the scoring through David Okereke in the 77th minute before the Ghanaian attacker added the side second goal in the 84th minute mark.
But Davide Diaw hit a brace in the 89th and 90th minute to level pegging, forcing the game to extra-time.
Cremonese proved to be tough for Modena as Leonardo Sernicola scored brace in extra-time to make it 4-2 at the end of the game.
Afena-Gyan has scored one goal in four appearances for Cremonese this season.
Afena-Gyan is expected to be included in coach Otto Addo‘s provisional squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Friday.
Former Youth and Sports Minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah has called on Ghanaians to support Otto Addo ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
The Black Stars will be hoping to make an impact in Qatar later in November.
Otto Addo as part of the team’s preparations lost to Brazil but recorded a 1-0 win over Nicaragua in the September friendly games.
Ghana will take on Switzerland in their final game in November before the team fly to the Gulf country for the global showpiece.
But Mr Ankrah has called on football fans to stick behind the gaffer.
“It’s not about Black or White Coach, it’s about capacity. I think Coach Kwesi Appiah with the Black Stars at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil was decent, but he showed some weakness. I kept on saying that he needed to be a bit stronger with the squad,” Mr Ankrah revealed to Class Sports.
“So far, I think Otto Addo has done well since his appointment and Ghanaians need to give him the support he deserves going into the FIFA World Cup in QATAR 2022.”
Ghana’s biggest record at the mundial is a quarterfinal finish at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa losing to Uruguay on penalties.
The four-time African Champions missed out on the last edition in Russia 2018 and now set to make a 4th appearance when the competition commences on November 20.
The NDC General Secretary Aspirant further revealed “Let’s encourage the players and ensure that government does its part, the technical team does same, the Football Association also plays its part and the players must be focused.
“Playing at the World Cup is huge opportunity for every player to prove to the whole world, billions of people will be watching.
“Some of the players, if they perform well that will be the next level of their career, they shouldn’t be focused on appearance fees and want more cash to themselves,” he added.
Ghana who have been housed in Group H will open their campaign against Portugal on November 24 at Stadium 974 in Doha.
Four days later, the Black Stars return to action with a clash with South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.
Ghana will wrap up their group stage adventure with their much-anticipated encounter with Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.
Black Stars coach Otto Addo will likely name Orlando Pirates goalkeeper in his provisional squad for the World Cup. Coach Otto Addo hopes the goalkeeper who is currently injured will be fit in time.
In the matchday 11 contest of the ongoing 2022/23 football league season, Richard Ofori put on a fine show in the first half.
Just ten minutes into the second half, he suffered an injury and could not continue the game due to the pain he felt.
As a result, he was replaced by Siyabonga Mpontshane who played the remaining minutes of the league match.
While the severity of the injury is yet to be ascertained, Richard Ofori could spend weeks on the sideline.
It is unclear whether that will in any way affect his chances of making Ghana’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The tournament will only start next month but coach Otto Addo and his assistants are already finalizing the squad.
The game between Orlando Pirates and Amazulu ended 1-1 at the end of the 90 minutes.
The Black Stars of Ghana will play one international friendly game against Switzerland before heading to Qatar.
Former Management Committee member of the Black Stars, Wilfred Osei Kweku Palmer has cautioned Black Stars coach Otto Addo to invite players for the upcoming World Cup only on merit.
Addo is expected to name his squad for the tournament in Qatar later this year after the friendly game against Switzerland.
The Tema Youth owner and bankroller speaking in an interview cautioned that the technical team must be allowed to invite players who only deserve to play for the Black Stars.
According to him, with good player call-ups, the country will be able to play in the semifinals of the Mundial.
“Nobody should try and influence the technical team led by [Otto Addo] to take decisions that will be challenged later,” he told Asempa FM.
“The coach will have to come and rationalize why I chose this player and not that player.
“We should be able to make it to the semifinals, that is if we do the right thing and this is selection on merit.
“It is very important for the team if we want the Black Stars to perform,” he added.
Ghana, who have been housed in Group H will open their campaign against Portugal on November 24 at Stadium 974 in Doha.
Four days later, the Black Stars return to action with a clash with South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.
Ghana will wrap up their group stage adventure with their much-anticipated encounter with Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.
The Black Stars having missed out in the last edition hosted in Russia in 2018 will be hoping to improve their performance in Qatar after exiting at the group phase during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Black Stars head coach Otto Addo admits the danger of integrating a number of new players into the squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Coach Addo handed debuts to Inaki Williams, Tariq Lamptey and Mohammed Salisu in Ghana’s pre-World Cup friendly defeat to Brazil last month. The Stars last 3-0 in France.
Williams and Lamptey are among five players who switched allegiance before the global showpiece.
“It’s always a danger to get new players, especially if the players who are there before achieve something really, really good,” said Addo, who oversaw the World Cup play-off win over Nigeria in March.
“There’s a group dynamic which I don’t want to break, but I think from what I saw they were welcomed well.
“They did well in training and get along with each other and it’s not like they were strangers. Before some knew each other from playing in the same league and everything is okay.”
Ghana will take on Switzerland in another preparatory game on November 17, seven days before their opening game at the 2022 FIFA World Cup against Portugal.
Head coach of Ghana, Otto Addo has disclosed that the new players will increase competition for places and benefit the team ahead of 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Black Stars welcomed several players who switched their allegiance after representing other nationalities in junior set-ups.
Tariq Lamptey, Mohammed Salisu, and Inaki Williams were handed call-ups and made their debuts from the bench in Ghana’s 3-0 loss to Brazil in a pre-World Cup friendly last month.
“It’s a good situation. We have pressure from the bench because new people are there who are very, very solid in Europe, and we have players on the pitch who have to prove themselves,” coach Otto Addo said.
Ghana will take on Switzerland in another preparatory game on November 17, seven days before their opening game at the 2022 FIFA World Cup against Portugal.
Black Stars will take on Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay in Group H at the World Cup final.
Former Ghana goalkeeper, Joe Carr has called on Black Stars head coach, Otto Addo to be bold in his player selection ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Ghana after securing qualification at the expense of Nigeria have been housed in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay.
Ahead of the Mundial, Andre Ayew speaking to Al Jazeera hinted senior players might be favored ahead of new players who have joined the team.
The 32-year-old’s comments did not go down well with many Ghanaian football fans.
However, Carr believes Addo must be firm in his player selection and should not hesitate to bench senior players who do not perform.
“The coach (Otto Addo) should not hesitate to bench senior players if they do not live up to his expectation,” he told Graphic Sports.
“This is the only way to get players to give their best during the competition,” he added.
Ghana will open their campaign against Portugal on November 24 at Stadium 974 in Doha.
Four days later, the Black Stars return to action with a clash with South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.
Ghana will wrap up their group stage adventure with their much-anticipated encounter with Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.
The Black Stars having missed out in the last edition hosted in Russia in 2018 will be hoping to improve their performance in Qatar after exiting the group phase during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Technical Director at the Ghana Football Association [GFA], Bernard Lippert, has called on Ghanaians to support and believe in the Black Stars technical team led by Otto Addo, ahead of Qatar 2022.
The playing body have come under scrutiny following September’s international friendly games against Brazil and Nicaragua.
The Stars were brushed aside by a dominant Brazil by 3-0 at the Stade Oceane in Le Havre, France before recording a narrow win over the Central American side in Lorca, Spain four days later.
Despite the mixed results, Lippert has asked to back the Black Stars technical team ahead of the Mundial scheduled to kick off on November 20.
“Be patient because we integrated eight new players. They had to find each other. It was a friendly game without preparations. So, be patient. Trust the coaches,” Lippert remarked.
The Black Stars have been paired with Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay at the World Cup in Group H in what potentially could be a very difficult start to the tournament.
Ghana will be making her fourth appearance at the global tournament after participating in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 editions.
Former Ghana Football Association [GFA] president, Kwesi Nyantakyi has urged Otto Addo to resign if his job as the Black Stars coach is interfered with.
Addo has signed a one-year deal having masterminded Ghana’s qualification to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Borussia Dortmund assistant coach is expected to lead the team to the Mundial later in November.
However, Mr. Nyantakyi who led the country to three consecutive Fifa World Cups has urged Addo to be firm.
According to him, the former Ghana international should leave his role if his job is being interfered with.
“He should work as a professional and shouldn’t allow anyone to tell him what to do,” he told King TV.
“If he can’t do that, then it’s better he resigns from the task ahead,” he added.
Meanwhile, at the World Cup in Qatar, Ghana who have been housed in Group H will open their campaign against Portugal on November 24 at Stadium 974 in Doha.
Four days later, the Black Stars return to action with a clash with South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.
Ghana will wrap up their group stage adventure with their much-anticipated encounter with Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.
Addo took over the Black Stars job after Milovan Rajevac was shown the exit after Ghana’s poor performance at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] in Cameroon.
Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kwesi Nyantakyi has provided the roadmap to making Otto Addo successful with the Black Stars.
Ghana is returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018.
The West African powerhouse are paired in Group H against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
Speaking to KINGS TVGH SPORTS, the former 1st CAF Vice President advised Otto Addo to believe in himself and make firm decisions ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“Everyone in Ghana loves football, so there are many different perspectives. We usually say that we’re all coaches,”
“Otto Addo must believe in himself and understand that he is there because he deserves the position.”
“He should select the best Ghanaian players to represent the country at the World Cup.”
“He’ll be confused if he listens to what everyone says, because I have an opinion, and you [interviewee] have an opinion, but we’re not coaches.”
“He should be firm and not tolerate opinions that won’t benefit him,” he added.
Former Ghana international, Tony Baffoe has insisted he has absolute belief in the technical team of the Black Stars led by Otto Addo.
The technical team has come under intense pressure after the games against Brazil and Nicaragua in the friendlies last month.
The Black Stars suffered a defeat against the five times champions before recording a 1-0 win over the 139th-ranked Central American side.
Several Ghanaians have called for the sacking of Otto Addo ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar,.
However, Baffoe, who is a former CAF Deputy General Secretary says the technical team headed by Otto Addo will perform in Qatar later this year.
“I believe in the technical team led by Otto Addo, Chris Hughton, George Boateng, and Didi Dramani,” he said in an interview.
“It getting bigger and bigger and the team behind the technical team.
“I remember in 2014 in Brazil Germany went to the World Cup with over 50 technical team members and they won the trophy.
“I am very happy the Ghana Football Association [GFA] have allowed Otto Addo to operate and I am happy with the work done so far and I believe in them,” he added.
Ghana, who have been housed in Group H will open their campaign against Portugal on November 24 at Stadium 974 in Doha.
Four days later, the Black Stars return to action with a clash with South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.
Ghana will wrap up their group stage adventure with their much-anticipated encounter with Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.
In a transfer window where Arsenal spent over 132.5m euros on players, fans were still dissatisfied as they believe that despite the strengthening of certain areas of the squad, some gaps that derailed their Champions League quest last season remained unfilled.
Coach Mikel Arteta and Technical Director were given a sharp reminder of the shortfalls in the squad when three games into the season, the unwelcome yet familiar story of Thomas Partey getting injured hit them again.
With few days left before the summer transfer window closed, Arsenal had to enter desperate and frantic mode after Egyptian midfielder Mohammed Elneny who replaced Partey in the Arsenal starting suffered an injury in his first start for the club this season. A long-term injury, unfortunately.
Arsenal had to press the panic button on the last day of the transfer window with Brazilian and Aston Villa midfielder, Douglas Luiz the subject of three bids that were all turned down by his club.
There was a sense of disappointment and vindication from Arsenal fans as they have seen this incident play out repeatedly since the days of Arsene Wenger when the club lose its key players to injury and that thwarts their ambitions.
In his thriving ‘lone 6’ role, Thomas Partey is perhaps Arsenal’s most important player whose presence or otherwise determines whether the club win a game or loses.
His importance to the squad can be seen in Arsenal’s last 45 games. Partey played an underwhelming 28 and in those 28, victory came in 20 of them. In the 17 that Partey missed, Arsenal won 8 and lost 8 with one draw. In the 28 games he played, Arsenal lost just 6 and drew 2.
With Partey in the team, the club average 2.2 points per game compared to 1.5 without him. Their win percentage shoots up to 71.4 when he is on the team and nosedives to 47.1% when he is injured.
They average 2.0 goals per game when he is in the middle and have just 1.4 when he is out of the team. Defensively, Partey is key too, goals against when he is on the side is 1.0 and increase to 1.6 when he is not on the side.
In these impressive stats that provide numerical and cogent evidence of the importance of Partey to Arsenal lies the worrying stats of the number of games he has missed. In Arsenal’s last 45 Premier League games, he has missed 17 of them which is a worrying stat for Mikel Arteta’s side as there appears to be no one in the team who offers something close or similar to what Partey offers the side when he is fit.
According to the reliable Orbinho, Partey has started just 58% of Arsenal’s Premier League matches since his move from Atletico Madrid two seasons ago. This was before he missed Arsenal’s games against Fulham, Aston Villa and Manchester United. What this means is that Arsenal have had their most important player not available for selection for 42% of the time he has been with the club.
These stats show that remarkably incredible yet unreliable player who a club or country cannot depend on for consistent success.
A look at Partey’s numbers with the Black Stars since he moved to Arsenal shows that in 26 games (including the latest matches against Nicaragua and Brazil) played, the midfield enforcer has missed 14 and featured in 12. That’s more than 50% of games.
The stats supplied by GHPL Stats, Derrick Ayim indicate that in the 12 matches he played, Ghana won Ghana 4, lost 4, and drew the same amount. He scored four and assisted four in those 12 games.
Of course, he is important and will prove decisive but the handlers of the Black Stars should be picking cues from the failure of Arsenal to plan for life without their marquee yet undependable player.
Partey’s injuries were a reason the club missed out on the Champions League by a whisker last season and could be a reason they fail to meet their target again this season and Otto Addo and his cohorts should be thinking along the line of preparing their team for the World Cup without Partey.
Preparing for a crucial tournament without factoring in a player who plays for a top six club in Europe’s most competitive league might sound ridiculous and unrealistic but in order not to be caught in the same situation as Arsenal, it is imperative that Otto Addo prepares his team with Partey not at the centre of it as there is a real likelihood that he would miss the World Cup or miss some of the games.
The former Ghana U-20 solitary strike propelled Ghana to a 1-0 win against Nicaragua on Tuesday evening in Lorca, Spain.
It was a trademark goal for the former Dreams FC star as he recorded his first goal for the Black Stars.
Despite praising Issahaku, he has advised him to be patient and precise with his finishing.
“He is a very good winger with a very strong shot, but sometimes he needs to be more patient and precise when finishing instead of trying to shoot from anywhere”,
Revealing how he prepared the Sporting CP youngster for the Nicaragua’s game, he said, “I told him that he should feel free to bet on one against one; he could try to play behind the opponents’ backs; if he had the opportunity to use his left foot gently, when he does, he finds it easier to be precise in his shot in order to score,” he said.
The former Ghana U20 star has capped 13 times for the Black Stars since his debut last year.
Otto Addo, head coach of the Black Stars, has been urged by former Great Olympics and Ebusua Dwarfs coach JE Sarpong to prioritize selecting players based on form and fitness rather than star power.
Following Ghana’s September friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua, he made these remarks.
Prior to defeating 139th-ranked Nicaragua 1-0, the Black Stars were defeated 3-0 by the five-time world champions at the Le Harve stadium in France.
The seasoned coach asserts that in order to have a strong Black Stars team capable of entering the World Cup tournament with their best foot forward, the technical team of the Black Stars must use Ghana’s international friendlies to reassess the players and how well they integrate into the team.
“The truth is that Ghana has names who are playing well outside but currently don’t have a team which is near competitive. These friendly games will ultimately turn out positively for a team in the World Cup,” he told Graphic Sports.
“Selection must be done on merit and those who have the heart to perform. On a bigger stage like the World Cup, it is only players who have big hearts who must be encouraged to play,” he said.
The Black Stars will take on Switzerland in November in their final preparatory games before heading to Qatar for the Mundial which kick off from November 20 to December 18.
Otto Addo, head coach of the Black Stars, has been urged by former Great Olympics and Ebusua Dwarfs coach JE Sarpong to prioritize selecting players based on form and fitness rather than star power.
Following Ghana’s September friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua, he made these remarks.
Prior to defeating 139th-ranked Nicaragua 1-0, the Black Stars were defeated 3-0 by the five-time world champions at the Le Harve stadium in France.
According to the veteran trainer, the technical team of the Black Stars focus must be on using Ghana’s international friendlies to do another assessment of the players and how well they fit into the team to ensure a strong Black Stars side capable of going into the World Cup tournament with their best foot forward.
“The truth is that Ghana has names who are playing well outside but currently don’t have a team which is near competitive. These friendly games will ultimately turn out positively for a team in the World Cup,” he told Graphic Sports.
“Selection must be done on merit and those who have the heart to perform. On a bigger stage like the World Cup, it is only players who have big hearts who must be encouraged to play,” he said.
The Black Stars will take on Switzerland in November in their final preparatory games before heading to Qatar for the Mundial which kick off from November 20 to December 18.
Legendary Ghana forward Dan Owusu has advised Black Stars coach Otto Addo to desist from late substitution ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana, who are returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018 engaged in two international friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua during the break.
The West African powerhouse lost 3-0 to Brazil and recovered to beat Nicaragua 1-0 on Tuesday in Spain through a strike from Abdul Fatawu Issahaku.
In an interview with Koforidua-based Bryt FM, the three-time Ghana Premier League goal king winner expressed displeasure about late substitution of the Black Stars coach and has therefore called on Otto Addo to desist from it.
“It’s too late to talk about replacing Otto Addo because we have limited time to the World Cup. His timing for substitution is bad, so I will advise him to desist from it. Waiting to make substitutions few minutes to full time can be deadly. As a coach you need to know the time to make substitutions because it’s very essential” he said.
Ghana has been paired in Group H against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea at the World Cup.
The Sporting Lisbon attacker was invited by the Black Stars head coach for the two friendly matches in the September international break.
In the game against Nicaragua last Tuesday, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku started the game and scored with a fine effort from distance.
Speaking after the game, Ghana coach Otto Addo backed the 18-year-old to improve but advised that he should be more decisive in the final third with his shooting.
“He’s a very good winger, who shoots with power, but sometimes he needs to calm down and be more precise with the shot instead of kicking it with full power. That’s what I told you.
“You have to feel free to do those runs between the lines, go one-on-one and when you have the opportunity, use your left foot gently. If I do that, I know it will be accurate enough to score,” Coach Otto Addo said after the Nicaragua game.
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku has returned to Sporting Lisbon where he will not be aiming for more minutes in the senior national team.
Otto Addo, the coach of Ghana, is unconcerned with the Black Stars’ performance before the World Cup in Qatar.
The Black Stars are participating in the world championship after being absent in Russia in 2018.
Otto Addo has led the national team to the 2022 World Cup, although in his eight games since taking over, he has only won two of them. His first two games were against Nigeria.
Because both contests were tied, Ghana was guaranteed a spot in the tournament in Qatar based on away goals.
Since then, Ghana have only beaten Madagascar once, a 3-0 victory in Cape Coast in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, and Tuesday’s 1-0 victory over Nicaragua.
The run has included defeats to Japan (4-1) and Brazil (3-0), as well as draws with the Central African Republic (1-1) and Chile (0-0).
“We are using these matches to try a lot of things, not only on the players but also for my side on systems, so we have to find that together. This is very important for us as a team.
“We have new players in each position we need to integrate and a whole a lot of things and we also want to use these games for everyone to show themselves at the training and also in the games and I am not worried.
“We have to take the right conclusions out of every match and prepare ourselves for the World Cup.”
Tariq Lamptey will be allowed to train upon returning to Brighton and Hove Albion ahead of their match against Liverpool, according to Ghana coach Otto Addo.
He debuted for the Black Stars when Ghana lost 3-0 against South American powerhouse Brazil in Le Havre, France.
However, Lamptey’s injury prevented him from playing in Ghana’s 1-0 friendly victory over Nicaragua at Lorca, Spain.
Ghana coach Otto Addo confirmed Lamptey “felt something” during the warm-up at training ahead of the Nicaragua match but was hopeful he will be able to train on his return to the club.
“We just didn’t want to take that risk and it doesn’t look too bad.” He said.
Meanwhile, Brighton will be monitoring the injury situation of the enterprising right-back ahead of the Liverpool encounter this weekend.
Following the two games the Black Stars played during the international break, Ghanaians have raised a number of concerns about the team.
Ghana defeated Nicaragua 1-0 and fell to Brazil 3-0.
There are problems, many people have said, that need to be fixed before the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup starts.
Ghanaians would prefer to see the squad move past the group stage this time because of Ghana’s disastrous prior performance in the competition, which resulted in a group stage departure.
Before Ghana’s opening match against Portugal in the group stage, GhanaWeb looks at five questions Otto Addo needs to address in their final exhibition game against Switzerland.
What formation best suits the team?
Otto Addo has been experimenting and exploring his formation options in order to find the best fit for his squad.
The manager has tried a variety of systems, but the majority of them are 3-5-2 and 4-2-3-1. He does not appear to have decided which of the two is the best fit.
There are concerns that Otto needs to have a defined system in place for his team before the serious business of the World Cup begins.
The Ayews dilemma
Many believe that Andre Ayew and Jordan Ayew have outlived their usefulness with the Black Stars. The argument has been that the Ayews can be on the team, but they should not be one of the first names on the line-up.
Otto Addo faces a difficult choice between giving in to public pressure or fighting it. In any case, he will be asked questions.
Dennis Odoi or Alidu Seidu?
The Black Stars have three options at right-back: Tariq Lamptey, Denis Odoi, and Alidu Seidu.
Lamptey appears to be the top pick in the pecking order, so he will be in the squad. As a result, Otto Addo will be torn between Alidu Seidu and Dennis Odoi for a backup spot in his final squad.
In the few games they have played, Alidu and Odoi have both proven their worth. Otto must now decide who makes the final list.
Who will lead the frontline for Ghana?
The Black Stars are lacking goals because they lack a prolific goal scorer, which leaves the manager unsure of how to set up his attacking lines to get the goals flowing.
In the games against Brazil and Nicaragua, he played Afena-Gyan and Inaki Williams respectively. He now has to decide which of the two players deserves to start at the World Cup.
Where does Kudus play?
One of Otto Addo’s problems is the role of Kudus Mohammed in his system. Kudus is flourishing at Ajax, where he is a false nine. For the Black Stars, however, he plays in his natural position of offensive midfielder, where many believe he takes far too many touches before releasing the ball.
Hence, Otto Addo must find a role for Kudus that will enable him to work efficiently.
Former Ghanaian international Laryea Kingston stated that after playing in two friendlies in September, coach Otto Addo should have a good notion of his starting lineup for the World Cup.
He thinks that the technical staff should pay attention to the players they now have and choose who would be on the World Cup reserve team.
The World Cup is rapidly approaching, so I must unambiguously state to the world that this is the squad I support.
I believe it is currently too late to make any more judgments.
“I would prefer the technical team to already have their team, the main team that Ghanaians know that this is my starting eleven, these are the players that if things are not going on well, they will replace others,” Laryea Kingston told Radio Gold Talk Sport.
Coach Otto Addo named two different starting line-ups for Ghana’s friendly matches against Nicaragua and Brazil match.
However, for Laryea Kingston, there is no time again for coach Otto Addo to try new players and must make Ghanaians aware of the players he is taking to the World Cup before their final friendly match against Switzerland.
“For me, I will be very happy to see Otto [Addo] show Ghanaians that this is his team that he is taking to World Cup because it’s very close, he still has one more friendly to play than you are in the main tournament.
“I will prefer him focusing on the core team, a team that is going to appear and is going to play for the Black Stars in the tournament,” Laryea Kingston told Radio Gold Talk Sport.
Ghana will come up against South Korea, Portugal and Uruguay in Group H at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Black Stars head coach, Otto Addo, says he was impressed with his team’s performance against Nicaragua on Tuesday evening.
Ghana secured a narrow win over the Central Americans through Abdul Fatawu Issahaku’s left-footed curled effort after 35 minutes into the game.
Having suffered a 3-0 loss to Brazil last Friday, Ghanaians were expecting the Black Stars to show more intent against Nicaragua, who are ranked 139th in the world by scoring more goals. However, the team could only manage a 1-0 win.
And while that performance has not gone down too well with Ghanaians, Addo says he liked what he saw from his players.
“[I will give them] seven as the highest,” the gaffer told the media when quizzed to rank his team out of 10.
“Seven because every play from what I saw we trained with worked just that we didn’t score. I like runs behind the defensive lines, I like the passes in between the lines, the turns and the body positions. There were a lot of very good things and good timings with the runs.
“We have got a little bit of composure and also more cool on the ball and sometimes you have to take your time and make another cut, sometimes maybe play off to a player who is in a better position and sometimes to you are a little bit unlucky because the goalkeeper did very well.
“We have to be more precise instead of just hammering the ball into the pole but we have a young squad, a lot of young players [played] today and the squad also, there are new players,” he added.
The result on Tuesday sees the Black Stars end their September international window with a win with a friendly against Switzerland to come in November before the start of the World Cup.
Ghana head coach Otto Addo has disclosed that 70 per cent of the squad he summoned for the September friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua will be selected for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The former Ghana international added the remaining 30 per cent are tough decisions the technical team will make in their monitoring of players outside the current squad.
The core of the Black Stars team was involved in Ghana’s 3-0 defeat to Brazil on Friday and Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Nicaragua.
Thomas Partey was the only senior figure in the team not to play a part in any of the two games. The Arsenal man had to leave camp early because of a knee injury issue that flared up in the Brazil pre-game warm-up.
Ahead of the narrow win over the Central Americans, the Borussia Dortmund assistant coach told German outlet, Bild: “70 per cent of the players currently on international duty with Ghana’s squad who meet Nicaragua in Lorca, Spain on Tuesday will be in Qatar.
“The remaining 30 per cent will be tight decisions. We’re watching the players closely for the next few games to see who could play for Qatar in October.”
Black Stars captain Andre Ayew shares a similar sentiment with Otto Addo. He specifically mentions some senior players in the current team have the advantage of being selected for the World Cup.
The Al Sadd midfielder adds other players have to compete for the remaining slots.
“Apart from senior players who may have an advantage, I believe no one is guaranteed a place in the squad just yet,” he told Graphic Sports.
“Everyone must prove their quality on the field and everyone has a chance, giving the coach more options and solutions, formations, and I believe it is beneficial to have new players with the right mentality.”
