Sports
Otto Addo’s Impact on Black Stars (Final Part)
Otto Addo’s second coming did not immediately change the team’s lackluster display in any way but did what matters in the game of football – grinded the results to achieve the ultimate dream.
Otto Addo proved that he was a mastermind in plotting big wins. Just like he got that huge draw in Nigeria for the Qatar World Cup, he stunned Mali in front of their fans, registering a 2-1 win with goals from Ernest Nuamah and Jordan Ayew to change the dynamics in the group.
He followed it up with a 4-3 victory over Central Africa Republic with a hat-trick from Jordan Ayew and a goal from Fatawu Isshahaku to silence a stubborn CAR side.
From this stage, Ghana’s stranglehold in the group was seen and felt by all but strangely with inconsistent displays.
Otto Addo’s next assignment was a seemingly easy outing against Chad which the Stars won 5-0 with goals coming from Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Salisu, and substitute Ernest Nuamah.
Otto Addo’s unbeaten and impressive run continued as the Black Stars thrashed Madagascar 3-0 with Thomas Partey registering his name on the score sheet with a brace and Mohammed Kudus also scoring.
That amplified expectations of another demolition exercise ahead of the second leg tie with the whipping boys of the group, Chad, but that ended in disappointment after the Chadians pulled a late equaliser to draw 1-1.
It happened to be the only point Chad got from the qualifiers and also reignited conversations about Otto Addo’s quality.
However, the Black Stars bounced back with another spirited performance to trounce Central Africa Republic 5-0 in Morocco and finished off with a solitary goal victory over Comoros to climax the qualifying period that spanned over a year.
Judging by performance, one remains unconvincing about the team’s play and does not look like a team capable of making a huge impact at the global football extravaganza.
Otto Addo knows this more than any other person. At his post-match press conference, he admitted that the current team comes nowhere near the epoch-making South Africa 2010 team that reached the quarter-finals of the championship.
But at this point, it is important to know what the fans want; good performance against a result-oriented game plan. Clearly, those calling for Otto Addo’s crucifixion based on performance can be justified in a way as the team lacks rhythm and is still struggling to gel.
However, on the issue of the deliverables, he has passed with distinction, having supervised a side that is not appealing to watch but keeps getting the results to meet his target.
Without doubt, Otto Addo has improved the team’s discipline in both defence and attack. It became evident that in the case where the opposition poses threats, he finds a way to contain them and, at the same time, find a way to score and defend that slim lead.
With the same strategy, he was able to mastermind the thrashing of countries like Chad and CAR based on the formations they employ.
Qualification is now certain, and energies and discussions must focus on building a formidable team to represent Ghana at the championship.
Within this short space of time, various views have been expressed about which players should be selected. But just as it has always been, player selection should remain a preserve of the coach and no form of interference must be entertained.
Gradually, he is earning the respect and confidence of the players who are beginning to play for each other, and team performance is getting better.
What this means is that the team is beginning to gel, and with the right preparation, Coach Otto Addo can parade a team to do better than the squad he presented in Qatar. Eight months would be too short to bring a new replacement who would practically start from scratch.
In my view, give Otto Addo the nod.
By Andrew Nortey
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After 16 years of not hosting this fixture, the Swedru Stadium will come alive today as Swedru All Blacks welcome Hearts of Oak in a Ghana Premier League (GPL) Match Day 10 clash.
Both sides enter the game on the back of 1-0 defeats in their previous outings, setting the stage for an intense encounter as they aim to bounce back.
While Hearts fans are backing their coach, Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, to secure his fourth away win of the season, the Swedru faithful, known as the “Ozii Ozaa,” have issued a stern warning to their head coach, Egyptian tactician Ahmed Ibrahim Fathi: “Win the game or risk losing your job.”
On paper, it is a challenging task given the visitors’ recent form. Nonetheless, Coach Fathi remains confident that the three points will stay in Swedru, having prepared his side to meet supporters’ expectations.
Meanwhile, tomorrow at the Baba Yara Stadium, Asante Kotoko will rekindle their rivalry with league leaders Aduana FC in a GPL blockbuster. The Fabulous Lads, the only unbeaten team in the league, aim to maintain their perfect record, while Aduana FC coach Cioaba Aristica believes his side can stretch their lead at the top of the table.
Other fixtures this weekend include:
- Medeama SC vs. Eleven Wonders – University of Ghana Sports Stadium, Legon
- Bechem United vs. Samartex FC – Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, Bechem
- Berekum Chelsea vs. Nations FC – Golden City Park
- Basake Holy Stars vs. Vision FC – Ampain AAK II Sports Arena
- Heart of Lions FC vs. Young Apostles FC – Kpando Stadium
- Bibiani Gold Stars vs. Karela United – Bibiani Dun’s Park
Fans can expect exciting football and crucial points on the line as teams fight for league supremacy and to turn around recent fortunes.
By Raymond Ackumey
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Call it a night of celebration, where sports and music converge on one stage. The 50th edition of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Awards will take place tonight at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), promising an evening of glamour, recognition, and entertainment.
The Golden Jubilee edition commemorates 50 years of excellence since the awards’ inception in 1975, honoring Ghana’s best sporting heroes and heroines. The event will not only celebrate the present generation of athletes but also veterans who excelled over the past five decades.
High-profile guests include President John Dramani Mahama, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, and AIPS President Gianni Merlo.
SWAG has prepared an impressive entertainment lineup, headlined by Afropop star Stonebwoy, with appearances expected from Fameye.
Golden Jubilee Ambassadors
Personalities to be decorated as 50th Anniversary Ambassadors include:
- Margaret Simpson – Athletics
- Azumah Nelson – Boxing
- Abedi Ayew Pele – Football
- Michael Essien – Football
- Kwadwo Asamoah – Football
- Stephen Appiah – Football
- Samuel Osei Kuffour – Football
- Adwoa Bayor – Football
- Alberta Sackey – Football
Awards Highlights for 2024
Coach of the Year: Frimpong Manso (Gold Stars) vs. James Kwesi Appiah (Sudan)
Referee/Umpire of the Year: Daniel Laryea (Football), Francis Yeboah (Badminton), Clement Smith (Athletics)
National Team of the Year:
- Black Queens
- National Badminton Doubles Team
- Golden Arms (Armwrestling)
- Black Cranes (Weightlifting)
Club of the Year: Police Ladies, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Faith Ladies, Bibiani Gold Stars
Top 5 Federations: Ghana Athletics, Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), Ghana Badminton, Ghana Weightlifting Federation (GWF), Ghana Cricket Association (GCA), Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU)
Other Awards:
- Athlete of the Year: Abdul Rasheed Saminu
- Boxer of the Year: Gideon Pappoe, George Dowuona, Mathias Ashittey
- Weightlifter of the Year: Emmanuel Amo Boateng
- Footballer of the Year – Male (Foreign Based): Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, Kudus Mohammed
- Footballer of the Year – Female (Foreign Based): Grace Asantewaa, Chantelle Boye Hlorkah
- Footballer of the Year – Male (Home Based): Stephen Amankona, Benjamin Asare, Razak Simpson
- Footballer of the Year – Female (Local Based): Comfort Yeboah
- Student Athlete of the Year: Phillip Tetteh Odjer (Male, Athletics), Moslina Adu (Female, Badminton)
- Discovery of the Year: Yayra Akos Agozi (Female, Weightlifting), Michael Agyapong Mensah (Male, Table Tennis)
- Swimmer of the Year: Josel Mensah
- Badminton Player of the Year: Obaponba Adu Minta
- Puller of the Year: Mabel Yeboah
- Para-Athlete of the Year: Zainabu Issah
- Meritorious Awards: Moses Adu (Badminton), Husseini Akueteh Addy (Armwrestling)
- Dedication and Valour: Portia Boakye (Football), Yaw Agyeman (Athletics)
- SWAG Lifetime Achievement Award: Brestford Amui (Horse Racing/Administrator), Asamoah Gyan (Football), Andre Dede Ayew (Football), Anthony Yeboah (Football)
- Sports Administrator of the Year: Evans Kojo Yeboah (Badminton)
- Table Tennis Player of the Year: Emmanuel Commey / James Marfo
- SWAG President’s Award: Henry Arko
This year’s awards promise glitter, excitement, and recognition of Ghana’s finest in sports, both past and present, making it a night to remember.
By Andrew Nortey
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