Sports
Ghana coach Otto Addo: Football has ups and downs, but learning is key
Black Stars coach Otto Addo is urging his squad to stay focused and resilient as they prepare for must-win 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar.
Ghana, aiming to secure a fifth World Cup appearance at next year’s tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, began preparations on Monday.
The mood in camp is positive despite a difficult run of six games without a win, which saw the team miss out on qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The Black Stars will face Chad on Friday, March 21, at the Accra Sports Stadium before playing Madagascar three days later at a neutral venue in Morocco, ensuring the four-time AFCON champions are not at a disadvantage in terms of match venues.
Speaking to 3Sports, Addo acknowledged the team’s struggles but insisted on the need to learn from both victories and setbacks.
“This is football. Sometimes you have ups, sometimes you have downs, but the most important thing is to learn from the downs,” he said.
“And even if you have ups, you have to be critical enough to see where you can improve.”
Ghana’s AFCON setback has put Addo under pressure, but he is focused on making amends, starting with the crucial clash against Chad in front of a watchful home crowd.
Black Stars are currently level on nine points with Comoros at the top of Group I. They started their campaign with a win over Madagascar but stumbled against Comoros before bouncing back with victories over Mali and the Central African Republic.
Addo understands the stakes, saying, “Every game is important. We always try to do our best, and I’m really looking forward to this match.”
Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet
