Sports
Otto Addo demands focus against Madagascar in World Cup qualifier
Black Stars head coach, Otto Addo, says the players must be 100% concentrated to stand a chance of beating Madagascar in the FIFA World Cup qualifier on Monday. Ghana is looking to build on its momentum against Madagascar after running past Chad on Friday to move atop the Group I table with 12 points.
The Black Stars hold a two-point advantage over their opponents and would open a five-point gap if they beat Madagascar in Al Hoceima.
Speaking ahead of the game, Coach Otto Addo believes an all-hands-on-deck approach is what’s needed to secure the points on Monday.
Read on for the transcript:
On injuries
We have some small issues here and there, but in all, we are all good to go.
On preparations ahead of Madagascar clash
Yeah, I think the most important thing is that I know everybody’s excited, everybody was happy about our last win, but we still have a long way to go and we need everyone to be on their toes. We don’t need 98 per cent, we don’t need 99 per cent, we need 100 per cent. This is like a small final, and if we win this game, then we are really going to qualify, but it’s going to be very, very tough.
On Madagascar
We observed the Madagascar team and they have done really, really well especially in the last game, so they are in good form and it’s going to be a tough game.
On timing of win against Chad
Surely, we knew before all the games played that at least everything is still in our hands and after they played we knew that if we win we can stay on top of our table. Everybody knew what this game was about, and I’m very, very happy that we used our chances especially in the first half, because this made the game easier in the second half and I’m very, very happy that we scored some goals and for the confidence of the boys it was very important.
On possibility of opening a five-point lead
The most important thing is to believe in our own strength, to be confident and like you said, I think it was a good victory for us in a difficult time and now we have to build upon this, and no matter who we play against, we know that we have the strength to beat everyone but we know football is not like simple mathematics. You can be better; you can have more chances, but still not win. So we need to be really, really focused, nobody should take it easy, nobody should start thinking already about the World Cup because we need to take it step by step. It’s very, very important that we stay focused until we’ve made the job, and now it’s the whole focus about Madagascar and we really, really want to win this match, we want to have a clean sheet, and this is what we’re looking for.
On individual flexibility and its benefit to the team
We have to continue to work for each other, even if somebody makes a mistake, the other one has to be there to help him out. We have to push each other in a positive way, a demanding way, but very, very positive, even if things go wrong. Football is a sport of mistakes, and who does more will lose. It’s very, very important that we have a positive mindset if we make a mistake, because mistakes always happen, but the most important thing is how we react as a team. How do we push each other, how do we demand concentration from each other, how do we focus on our tasks? This is what will be decisive at the end.
On conceding goals despite scoring eleven in three matches
To be honest, surely we look and reflect on our results before, but in our preparation of our opponents, it doesn’t really matter because we have to look forward. We could have won 10 games, and still we want to win the 11th. Statistics are good, but they don’t indicate that you will win or lose the next match. We have to really concentrate, we talked about Madagascar already, today we will train, have some more tactical advices for the players, and I hope that everybody stays focused and concentrates on the strength of Madagascar. They have very good players, they play together as a team, it won’t be easy, and everybody has to fulfill his individual task, but also as a team we have to come together as one to beat them.
On counting on individual brilliance to make a difference
Surely we prepare them offensively, but also defensively. I think they did quite well in performing and aligned to our analysis especially against Chad. Like I said, Madagascar is now a new task, it’s going to be different. For us it’s always important that the players read the game, read the signals and read our game plan so that we can see their weaknesses and also come in there with our strength. It’s all about reading signals, reading the system of the opponent and knowing what we have to do as a team. Surely the leaders take a big role in that, if somebody is not in his position they demand and correct the position. Surely we have to play to our strengths, but also we have to think to see how we can hurt our opponent the most.
On facing Madagascar in Morocco and its possible benefits
It should be, actually, yes there is an advantage, because it’s always not that easy if you play away and there are a lot of spectators but sometimes it’s also a trap. Psychologically, sometimes if you think it’s not going to be a hot atmosphere, it’s kind of a trap and you give maybe 1 or 2 per cent less. For me, I can say it not often again, we have to be really on our toes, no matter how the circumstances are, and we have to be there. We can’t just go out and think we will win; we have to work hard for this. Every centimetre is important, every duel is important and we have to go in every duel 100 per cent if we want to win this match.
On message to Ghanaians back home
Actually, we were surely overwhelmed by the support from our fans and I would like to say thank you to the whole of Ghana for supporting us in this way. Thank you, Accra, for this unbelievable atmosphere. Thank you to the President of the country, the sports minister, GFA president, everybody who worked so hard. Big, big thanks to our technical team who work day and night, and I’m always happy when it gets rewarded. We surely want to give everything for tomorrow’s game, so that we can give back in points, and we are looking forward to our next home match as well. Keep on supporting, keep on helping us, and we can do this, but together.
GFA COMMUNICATIONS
The TnA Stadium in Tarkwa will come live tomorrow with a top of the table clash as title-chasing Medeama SC welcome defending champions, Bibiani Gold Stars, in a Match day 31 fixture of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).
Medeama has declared it “Operation Paint Tarkwa Yellow and Mauve” as they gear up for what connoisseurs see as a make or break fixture for both sides.
A win for the home side will stretch their lead on the log to five points and hand them a huge boost in their title aspirations, but a defeat will play into the hands of the visitors.
Both teams head into this fixture with two points separating them on the league log with Medeama SC leading with 53 points.
The first round tie at the Dun’s Park in Bibiani ended goalless, leaving all to be played for in this game.
Third placed side, Hearts of Oak, will trek to the Kwame Kyel Sports Complex to test their might against Nations FC.
Both have faced each other five times since 2023 with the Phobians winning twice, drawing same and losing once.
This season, the Phobians defeat Nation FC 1-0 in the first round game at home and will look to do a double over the Abrankese lads, a plot coach Frimpong Manso and his charges are scheming against.
Hearts have drawn thrice, won once and lost same in their last five games and are heading into the game on the back of a 1-0 loss on the road to Vision FC.
Coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani has charged his boys to put that defeat behind them and go for victory.
At the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park in Dormaa, fourth placed Aduana FC will be chasing their 13th win of the season when they welcome Heart of Lions in their penultimate home game.
The “Ogya Boys” will be seeking a double over the visitors after inflicting a 1-0 win over the Kpando lads at their own backyard last December.
Karela United will look to exact revenge on Young Apostles FC when they host them at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale.
Fifth-placed side, Samartex FC, will stay put at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena to host Basake Holy Stars.
Dreams FC will hope to worsen the plight of Asante Kotoko when they host them at the Tuba Astro Turf.
Vision FC will lock horns with Swedru All Blacks at the Nii Adjei Kraku Sports Complex in Tema today.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
Fierce competition for slots for the 2027 Africa Games continues today at the Borteyman Sports facility in Accra where over 300 athletes from 21 countries have converged to compete in the 15th Africa Armwrestling Championship.
The championship started yesterday with thrilling performances. The fireworks will continue today which happens to be the final day with eyes fixed on medals and ranking points to secure continental glory, and most importantly, a qualification to the 2027 African Games.
It has attracted tough competitors from traditional powerhouses such as Egypt, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa and host nation, Ghana.
They are known for their long-standing dominance in the sport, and are expected to provide stiff competition for the Ghana national Armwrestling team, The Golden Arms.
Also expected to stage a strong contest are the new forces in the Armwrestling arena.
Benin, Mauritius, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Kenya, Eswatini, Burundi, Niger, Senegal, Cote D’viore and Togo are all in town, ready to combat the ‘big guns’ despite their underdog status.
The arrival of South Africa and Benin in particular, adds a fresh competitive edge to the southern and West Africa representation of the tournament.
This edition is under the theme: ‘Pulling Africa Together,’ emphasising the role of sports in fostering regional integration and unity among member states.
Speaking ahead of the competition, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chairperson, Maame Efua Houadjeto, explained that the event provides a platform to bridge cultural gaps and strengthen the bond between African nations through fair play.
Maame Efua, who doubles as Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), also indicated the readiness of the LOC and the country to stage a very impressive championship.
“We are fully prepared to host a world-class championship that reflects the hospitality of Ghana. By bringing the continent to Accra, including our brothers and sisters from Egypt, Nigeria, and the rising stars from Benin and Mauritius, we have demonstrated that Africa is stronger when we lock hands.”
She continued that: “The theme: ‘Pulling Africa Together’ is a call for continental development and peace. We are ready to show that Ghana remains the heartbeat of African sports and the best in hospitality.”
Contributing, Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of Ghana and Africa Armwrestling, commended various partners, especially the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Ghana Olympic Committee, National Sports Authority, National Petroleum Authority, National Health Insurance Authority, Bethel Logistics, Verna Water, Kofikrom Pharmacy Limited, Stanbic Bank, Kofata Motors, Royal Dach Pharmacy, IMAH Hospital, Event Factory, Awards Center, Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the Ghana Tourism Authority for the unflinching support for the championship.
On his part, Mr Kenneth Odeng Adade, the Chief Operations Officer for the championship, indicated that Borteyman complex has been fitted with international-standard Armwrestling tables and electronic systems to ensure a seamless experience..
As the competition officially ends today, the ‘Golden Arms’ of Ghana will be looking to leverage home-court advantage against the technical prowess of the Egyptians and the raw power of the Nigerians.
