Addo under pressure as Ghana faces Chad

Yesterday at 05:00 AM

After failing to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana will now turn their attention to the World Cup qualifiers where they will lock horns with Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday evening.

Kick-off is at 21h00 CAT.

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has been under an immense amount of pressure from fans, however the team has performed well in the World Cup qualifiers so far, winning three and losing one match in Group I.

They are level on points with group leaders Comoros, only trailing behind in second-place due to having a lower goal difference.

Addo stressed the importance of positive results in their qualifying campaign, urging fans to support Ghana’s bid for a fifth FIFA World Cup appearance.

“We came to seek for your support and guidance,” the coach said.

“We have difficult matches ahead of us, and the country needs urgent victories to go to the World Cup, and for that, I believe we need to support ourselves, especially the GA chiefs and the entire people so that everybody can be happy."

Despite his strong performances for Le Havre in Ligue 1, Andre Ayew was again omitted from Ghana’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar.

Ghana's Minister of Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams shared that he raised concerns over the Ghana Football Association's decision to retain Addo as the head coach of the national team.

“I met the GFA, and they explained their decision to keep Otto. Am I fully satisfied? Time will tell. But I raised my concerns, and those concerns, I registered them [at the meeting with GFA],” he said.

“However, given the crucial games ahead, making a coaching change now might not be the best move.”

As for Chad, the team is placed sixth in the qualifying group, failing to win all four of their matches. However, an opportunity presents itself to pick up points when they travel to face the Black Stars.