Sports
Every word from Otto Addo’s post Niger presser
There was plenty for Otto Addo to discuss after the 1-1 draw with Niger on Monday. The result leaves us in third place in Group F of the 2025 Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers – as we picked only one point from a possible six, so the manager was unsurprisingly disappointed when he spoke to the media in his post-match press conference.
He was asked about the result, our next games against Sudan, the overall performance of the team and more.
Here’s a full transcript…
On being satisfied with the draw
Definitely not, I am not satisfied at all. I am really disappointed to be honest. We talked and we trained on set pieces, we talked about situations which could happen and the way they defended in the last 10 minutes was really, really bad. I think in general we had the game under control. We allowed sometimes some counter situations where we don’t close the gaps really well and then we got the lead. I think from that point things were easier.
On being wasteful in the second half
Also in the second half we changed some positions and the buildup and also some restrictions to seize moments for our wingers. We had a different set up in the midfield, so it was good. In the second half we controlled them; we created a lot of chances which we didn’t use. At the end, these kind of games are like this. There are no cheap teams, every team can play and Niger also did well, especially in their counter attacks. But I am very, very disappointed with the way we allowed our goals.
On the goal we conceded
We had a quite cheap goal against Angola and now again, I am just really, really disappointed and we have to be on our toes to defend these situations better. I don’t know what to say more because I am really, really disappointed. We talked too much, we trained exactly in this kind of situation also and I am really disappointed to see the team concede a goal like this.
On playing Sudan next
It will be difficult again. I knew from the start, it’s just some little margins, little details which can decide. This will be again, for us it will be a crucial match. We have to win, there is no way around it, and we have to win. If we want to have the chance to play better after, we have to win. We are under pressure, this is for sure and we have to do better.
On lessons
We are not allowing too cheap goals. Like I said, I am disappointed; we didn’t learn the lessons from the first game. Now it’s a set piece, we are all back, we need to defend this better, this is for sure and like I said, I am really disappointed. But surely it’s still in our own hands. We have the same point as Niger and now we have to wait. Angola, they will play tonight against Sudan. However, the result is if Sudan wins, they have six points, Angola three. If Angola wins, they have six points, Sudan three. If you take their draw, they have four points.
On making it out of what looks like a tough group
So it’s still possible but we have to improve, we have to improve much. We have to improve to use our chances and also to defend better in detail and to learn our lessons. Like I said, the goals are too cheap and we have to grow from this we have to learn from this. This is even more than a wake-up call.
GFA COMMUNICATIONS
Midfielder Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto after Canadian authorities refused him entry.
A FIFA statement to The Athletic confirmed the Arsenal star cannot travel from Ghana’s base camp in Boston, USA, for Wednesday’s, June 17, opener against Panama.
“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” the statement read.
FIFA stressed it has no role in immigration decisions: “FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
Canadian immigration rules state that “if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.” Partey has been charged with offenses in the UK but is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.
The Black Stars will now have to do without their midfield anchor for the crucial Group E opener against Panama.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana have arrived in Providence, Rhode Island, for the final phase of preparations ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. The team departed Virginia on Thursday afternoon and touched down at T.F. Green International Airport in Rhode Island at about 6:00 p.m.
Head Coach Carlos Queiroz and his squad will resume training on Friday as they fine-tune preparations for their opening Group L game against Panama.
The Black Stars wrapped up a week-long training camp in Washington following their international friendly against Wales in Cardiff.
The camp in Virginia included intensive sessions at the American University and D.C. United training ground and a farewell dinner with the Ghanaian community in Alexandria.
Ghana now enters the final stretch of preparation in Providence before heading to Toronto for the June 17 opener against Panama at Toronto Stadium.
The Black Stars will also face England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27 to complete Group L.
Queiroz’s 26-man squad features captain Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, Iñaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, and goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, who is set for his second successive World Cup.
The team is expected to hold training sessions and series of Community engagement programs in Rhode Island in the coming days.
