Sports
All in Otto Addo’s Hands
From June 2004 to the latter parts of 2005, when Ghana secured qualification to her first senior FIFA World Cup, it generated an unending party mood among soccer enthusiasts.
Visualising dicey clashes with some of the world heavyweights, delight, high expectation, anxiety, and glee had the better part of fans. The fans cared less about which set of players constituted the team for the Germany 2006 showpiece. All that mattered was how the Black Stars coped at the highest stage of association football.
Maybe, realising that the constitution of the team was the preserve of the Head Coach, his Technical Team, and the Ghana Football Association (GFA), fans only cared about the entertainment aspect of it. All over the streets in the country, replica jerseys of the Black Stars became the most sought-after commodity, with fans paying a lot of Cedis to lay a hand on one.
Twenty years down the line, the desire to play at that level of football still appeals to football lovers; so when the Black Stars sealed its fifth qualification about a month ago, fans showed that excitement. The next edition is easily referred to as the ‘America, Canada, Mexico dream’ World Cup. The desire to be part of it is even greater than the maiden edition—for reasons unknown.
But unlike previous editions, fans have shown a lot more concern about personnel selected to don the national jersey this time, especially after speculation about an intent to get some new players to strengthen the squad. The names of Nottingham Forest winger Hudson Odoi and Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah have been on the lips of many for this reason. They are alleged to be the next set of players to be included in the team for the showpiece, in a bid to strengthen the squad.
This is not a new practice with the Ghana team. In fact, it is very common with national teams across the globe. As recently as last Friday, DR Congo announced a team for the impending World Cup play-off, including as many as three Belgian under-21 internationals in a 25-man squad.
The Belgian trio are attacking midfielder Mario Stroeykens, who at 21 has already captained Brussels giants Anderlecht; winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha from Celtic in Scotland; and Standard Liège goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo, who only last month sat on the bench for Belgium’s under-21.
Prior to the latest addition, players like Brian Cipenga from Spanish club Castellón had joined the Leopards squad only last month for the final World Cup group qualifiers as a late injury replacement. The FA of DR Congo is also in support of any intention by Coach Sébastien Desabre to cast his net over a wider array of talent.
Ghana’s case is not so different. It started with the current coach of the team, Otto Addo, who joined in the latter stages of qualifiers to the Germany World Cup. The next edition was the ‘African World Cup’ hosted by South Africa in 2010. That period witnessed the inclusion of Kevin-Prince Boateng and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, two Ghanaian players of German and Netherlands ancestry.
Adam Kwarasey may have also played a role in the journey to the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup, but he was obviously a fresh face in the squad. Then came the Qatar edition in 2022, which saw the Black Stars’ door opened to players such as Tariq Lamptey, Inaki Williams, Mohammed Salifu, Dennis Odoi, Alexander Djiku, and Antoine Semenyo. Although they were new faces, most of them participated in qualifiers.
That explains the apprehension regarding the alleged attempts to add Nketiah and Hudson-Odoi to the squad. As Head Coach, Otto Addo is free to make decisions on a purely tactical basis. Others have objected on moral grounds, arguing that it is important to reward committed and dedicated players who travelled all around the continent for the qualifiers.
But to think that when these two appeared to be at the peak of their careers there was no interest to feature for the Black Stars, one is then forced to ask: why the sudden interest now, if indeed there is an interest?
By Andrew Nortey
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Football is widely regarded as a sport where teamwork, not always individual brilliance, leads to success. This principle likely underpins the notable confidence expressed by Ghanaian soccer fans following the draw for the FIFA 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
So, despite the not-so-impressive performance of the Black Stars, Ghanaians remain optimistic about the team’s chances.
Last Friday’s draw pitched the Black Stars against England, Croatia, and Panama in a group that has been described in several ways. Some say it is manageable; others believe it is a tricky group, while for some, it represents Ghana’s easiest group compared to previous World Cups attended.
In sampling the views of some soccer fans, one retorted: “This is the best group in our World Cup history. England is no match. We may draw with Croatia and beat Panama. We are the favourites in the group.”
At that point, I conceded the lack of the “technical, or perhaps spiritual, eyes” that allow some fans to reach such confident conclusions about the Black Stars’ prospects.
Taking a closer look at the group, England are, without doubt, the strongest on paper with a fourth-place ranking in the latest FIFA rankings. Croatia follows in 10th position, Panama in 30th, and the Black Stars in 72nd position.
These statistics and several other factors make the fans’ overwhelming confidence appear untenable, and it would be wise to join those urging Team Ghana to tread with caution.
Comparatively, England comes to the table with the strongest team not just by virtue of their ranking. They also boast a squad featuring players from top clubs across the globe. Top performers like Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Marc Guehi, Alexander Trent-Arnold, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers, Phil Foden, Harry Kane, and others can be identified with the Three Lions.
The Croatians also boast world-class players such as Dominik Livaković, Joško Gvardiol, Luka Modrić, Nikola Vlašić, Andrej Kramarić, Ivan Perišić, Toni Fruk, and many others.
Ghana, however, comes with a talented squad that will depend more on teamwork rather than individual brilliance, which the aforementioned teams could boast of.
With all things working together for the good of the Black Stars, Coach Otto Addo will have the luxury of calling on Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo, Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams, Benjamin Asare, Mohammed Kudus, Kwesi Sibo, and other emerging talents.
For Panama, they have a virtually unknown squad with players plying their trade in some respectable leagues. In their final qualifier, they featured Marseille right-back Michael Amir Murillo, Norwich City center-back Jose Cordoba, Slovan Bratislava defender Cesar Blackman, Las Palmas midfielder Edward Cedeno, Pumas UNAM playmaker Adalberto Carrasquilla, and San Diego midfielder Anibal Godoy.
Panama comes as the biggest beneficiary of the CONCACAF decision to host the World Cup, granting three automatic qualifications to the USA, Canada, and Mexico. But this does not make them automatic minnows, as many fans might want to believe.
It would be unrealistic to assume that the Black Stars have the men to outshine England or Croatia based purely on individual talents. But since football thrives on teamwork, Panama—and just like Ghana—can dare to dream against the big boys in the group and rewrite their World Cup history.
By Andrew Nortey
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Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko would hope to return to winning ways this weekend following defeats in their Matchday 13 Ghana Premier League (GPL) games last week.
Both teams suffered defeats on the road, leaving them with 21 points apiece, with the Phobians sitting seventh, two places below Kotoko.
At the University of Ghana Sports Stadium today, Hearts of Oak will attempt a second straight victory when they host Nations FC. The Phobians lost 1-0 to Nations FC last season in this fixture at the Tuba Astro Turf, a game many Hearts fans would want to forget.
Tomorrow, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, injury-stricken Asante Kotoko will hope for a good day when they host 14th-placed Dreams FC. Dreams FC suffered a 4-1 battering last season in this fixture and will be looking for revenge.
Dreams FC, led by Winfred Dormon, a protégé of Coach Zito, will aim to exact revenge on his former boss following that heavy defeat last season.
After going down 2-0 in the highly-anticipated Western Derby against Samartex FC last week, Bibiani Gold Stars return to their base at the Dun’s Park to host Medeama SC in another blockbuster Western derby.
Following their 2-0 victory over Hearts last week, Karela United will trek to the Wenchi Sports Stadium to face Young Apostles.
In other games, Berekum Chelsea will hope to return to winning ways when they host high-flying Hohoe United at the Golden City Park, while Basake Holy Stars FC will host Samartex FC at the Ampian AAK II Sports Arena in Azulewanu.
Swedru All Blacks will take on Vision FC at the Swedru Stadium, with the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park hosting the Bechem United FC vs. Eleven Wonders game.
By Raymond Ackumey
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