- Stephen Appiah throws weight behind coach Otto Addo,
- Addo takes the reins after a stint as Borussia Dortmund's talent coach
- Addo's mission is to reverse the team's fortunes
Former Ghana captain Stephen Appiah has thrown his weight behind newly appointed national team coach Otto Addo, emphasizing the importance of decisive leadership.
Addo, taking the reins after a stint as Borussia Dortmund’s talent coach, has ignited debate with his first squad selection.
The most talked-about absence is captain Andre Ayew, with some praising Addo’s boldness and others hinting at external influence.
Appiah, Addo’s teammate in the 2006 World Cup, underlines the need for the coach to maintain his independence and authority. “He needs to make it clear to the players that he’s in charge,” Appiah told 3Sports. “This is where you have to be firm. I played with him in 2006, and he understands how much Ghanaians crave World Cup success.”
Under previous coach Chris Hughton, Ghana secured a win against Madagascar but fell to Comoros, leaving them in fourth place of Group I in the CAF World Cup qualifiers with a mere three points.
The road ahead is challenging, with Comoros, Mali, and Madagascar currently in a stronger position.
Addo’s mission is to reverse the team’s fortunes as they prepare for crucial matches against Mali and the Central African Republic in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Ghana’s training camp starts on Thursday before they head to Bamako for their June 6th match against Mali. They’ll then return to Kumasi to face the Central African Republic. Currently at the bottom of their group, the upcoming fixtures hold immense importance for the Black Stars’ World Cup qualification hopes.
