Sports
Otto Addo shares his thoughts on Ghana’s chances against Angola: Transcript
Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, spoke to ghanafa.org in Luanda on Thursday, ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola. Seeking his first win in the qualifiers, Coach Addo shared his thoughts on the team’s atmosphere and dynamics in camp, the integration and adaptation of the new players and the challenges of facing a side that has already secured their spot in the next tournament in Morocco.
His thoughts have been captured below:
On the atmosphere going into the game
Yeah, the boys look sharp and in really good condition. (0:29) It’s a good atmosphere. We know about the importance of this match. For me, the boys look ready and sharp and like I said, it’s been a good atmosphere.
On new players and how he expects them to react
Yea, actually we had a good, positive competition in the training matches. From what I saw, they really picked up the idea of how we play. Those are the new players. I’m looking forward to seeing them all. Especially the new players, they can prove themselves. It’s a big challenge because we have a lot of injuries. The others, I think they’re hopefully ready to guide them through the game. It’s going to be very tough, very difficult. We’re looking forward to that game and I know that we will do it.
On meeting a side that have already qualified for the AFCON
Yeah, these are difficult games. You can’t take it for granted that they will play, let’s say, 50 per cent or so. I know that they (Angola) will be 100 per cent ready. It’s going to be difficult, it’s an away game. It’s going to be very, very tight, I know. But I think mentally the boys are ready. I’m looking forward to that game. It’s time for our first victory in this competition. I think it’s a great opportunity to keep the chance alive.
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.
