Sports
Otto Addo satisfied with Unity Cup performance, eyes World Cup Qualifiers in September
Coach Otto Addo has expressed satisfaction with the team’s win against Trinidad and Tobago and the spirited performance against Nigeria in the Unity Cup, praising new players’ and noting the challenge of selecting the best players for the World Cup qualifiers in September due to the high level of talent.
Otto appreciates opportunities like the Unity Cup for evaluating players but acknowledges scheduling constraints.
The former Ghana winger plans to continue monitoring players, including those injured, and preparing for the World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali in September.
He emphasizes the importance of staying humble and working hard to achieve their goals.
On win against Trinidad and Tobago
I am very satisfied; we brought in new players, again, who are fresh, and I think we really did well in the first half, to press, to create chances, except this one situation where they had a shot on target which flew in front of the post. Everything went well and I am very, very satisfied that everybody could show himself.
On the players performance in two matches
The challenge is on. A lot of players showed that they can compete at the highest level, and this makes my work hard. But this is how we want it. You can see that in Ghana there is a lot of talent, and I am happy to give them the chance in this tournament.
This will make the decisions a little bit more difficult even though we played well in our last World Cup qualifying games. We really have to think about how to include one, two or three players. I don’t know, let’s see. We will still observe them. We will look at how their season will go, next season. I am happy for them to have holidays now. They should rest to start fresh and surely how they will perform with their clubs will also decide in the end for September.
On getting more games like the Unity Cup
If possible, why not. The calendar is very, very tight for a lot of clubs in Europe especially. That is why I think it would be difficult. But if we could arrange something like this more often, it would be really, really good because it gives me a bigger and brighter picture of all the players. It was a good competition for us, like I said this tournament, despite the results was a big, big win for us because it answered a lot of questions for us.
On plan from now until September
Surely, I will be visiting players like I always do when the season starts. I will be watching matches and come together with my team to decide who will come for the next game. We are really looking forward to that; we want to start to start with a win in the World Cup qualifiers against Chad. Before that we will start to prepare well. There is also a lot of injured players, we will keep in touch with them and stay connected so that when we come together in September, everybody will be ready to do the job.
On being calm now that results and performance are getting better
It’s always easier to work when you win. But on the other hand, we have to stay humble. We have to keep on working. If anybody thinks we are already at the World Cup, I can guarantee you, it’s not like that. I have seen too many things in football and we really, really have to work hard to fulfil our aim.
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
