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We must stay focused after dominant win over Madagascar – Otto Addo
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Our head coach, Otto Addo, faced the media after our dominant 3-0 win over Madagascar on Monday.
Thomas Partey scored a brace, while Kudus Mohammed also found the net in either half, giving the Black Stars their fifth win in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
In his post-match interview, Otto Addo touched on scoring from set-pieces, staying focused in the remaining matches, and fighting until the end.
Here’s what he had to say:
On the game against Madagascar
First of all, big congratulations to the team for the three points. The work ethic today, was exceptional. I think we started well, which led to some free-kicks. One of the free-kicks we used well to score and then from there, I have to say, Madagascar played really, really well. They put pressure on us without creating any big, big chances. But you could see the movements, they played well. But we defensively were very, very solid and I’m happy for that. In the second half, I think the guys needed just 50 minutes.
And then now, in the second half, we came over really, really well. We controlled the game, we had a lot of free-kicks again, which were really, really good. Also well done to our captain, Jordan, who had to take three assists, which is really, really amazing. Thomas took goals. It was really decisive, the execution of the free-kicks, but also the positioning in the box. We were very, very happy for that.
And then we started to play. We played well. Surely, in the last ten minutes, maybe we got a little bit more pressure, but I think we defended well again with clean sheets. So, yeah, we are very, very happy. I think we are taking a very, very big step, but it’s not done yet. We still have to work hard to qualify for the World Cup. There’s still a lot of work to do. But I think we are happy that we are in a good position.
On two wins against Chad and Madagascar sending out a statement
Yeah, I think, like I said, it’s not done yet. So, we still have to work hard. This is football. Things can turn very, very fast. As a national coach, you always have to wait for some months before you can get the team together to play again. But, I’m very, very happy for the results, for the way that we played. I think it was, at the end, well-deserved. And, yeah, we’re looking forward to the other games.
We can’t change the past. We have to look forward and try our best to use this position in which we are now to qualify for the World Cup.
On Madagascar
I think after we led 1-0, they came up well. You can see that they are good players, very, very good runs, good positioning in between the lines. But, also, I think we defended well. We didn’t allow too many chances in the second half. I think it was a good shot at the counter. We know that they are very, very good at counters. Big, big compliment to Thomas and Abu-Francis for closing the centre and stopping them from setting their counters well. Defensive line was very, very solid. But, I have to say, it’s a very, very strong team. I think they have a good future.
On scoring from set-pieces
I think we analysed well that, for example, against Sudan, we had 16 set-pieces. And, yeah, we were also a little bit unlucky. This is also a combination of, maybe, the last will, but also unlucky. I think Sudan, Djiku hit the post. If this ball had gone in, it would have been another story. We created a lot of chances. I know that this is football. If you work hard and you have the patience, the results will come.
This is what happens now. I have to also pay big, big respect for the assistant coaches, Gregory and also Desmond who are working hard, who are trying to find new ideas. I think it worked well. Like I said, we won deservedly.
On Benjamin Asare
At the moment, he’s the number one. We decided for him. He did well in training. Like I said, it’s not like he’s here and the others are there. So, we have a good situation where the goalkeepers are pushing each other, really, really helpful. The way Ati-Zigi and Wolcott also behaved during this week. And the way they also tried to push Benjamin to help him, to support him, which is not that common. I don’t take it for granted, but big, big props for them for pushing him, for giving him hints, you know. And this is good teamwork. And Benjamin really deserved it. He did well in the league but also in the training, the little training we had, he did very, very well and I’m happy for him.
On opening a five-point gap in Group I
Yeah, I think we’re in a good position but this is also a danger. And now already thinking about how to keep our heads focused. The job is really, really not done. Surely, maybe if Comoros win, we’re just three points ahead of Comoros. And we still have a long way to go. We have to be focused. If anyone thinks we’re through, then he’s making a big, big mistake. And I’ve seen a lot of football, a lot of things happening, and we have to stay focused. I’m happy for today, but like I said, the job is really not done.
GFA COMMUNICATIONS
In a resolve to build clearer pathway for athletes, the President of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation (GTF), Mr Frederick Lartey Otu, has indicated the new executive’s commitment to strengthen collaboration with major stakeholders in the development and promotion of the sport.
According to him, it would be difficult to achieve its set targets set for the new elected term without a good working relations with such collaborators.
Mr Otu said this when he addressed participants at the closing ceremony of the 16th edition of the Korean Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship held last Saturday at the Borteyman Sports Complex.
The event saw the Greater Accra Region’s dominance as they amassed a total of 26 medals consisting of 10 gold, eight silver and eight bronze medals.
The Upper East Region followed in second position with a gold, silver and six bronze medals and Western Region in third after annexing a gold and silver medals.
According to him, the new executive will continue to strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation (MoSR), National Sports Authority (NSA), Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), the Korean Embassy in Accra, corporate organisations as well as educational institutions and Regional Associations.
“Our recent engagements with key stakeholders have reinforced our belief that there is a willingness to support Ghana Taekwondo when we present clear programmes, demonstrate accountability and work collaboratively,” he stated.
Consequently, he assured of the executive board’s commitment to good governance, transparency, accountability, teamwork and respect for all stakeholders.
“We’ll listen to our regions, clubs, coaches, athletes, officials and members of the Taekwondo family. We’ll continue to improve our administrative systems, documentation, communication, financial planning and programme coordination,” he added.
Mr Otu noted that the board was committed to building a sustainable Taekwondo development system that produces athletes, coaches, referees and administrators capable of representing Ghana with pride.
He said starting this month, the GTF will roll out its first major initiative – the Regional Taekwondo Awareness Campaign, to be launched in the Ashanti Region.
The campaign is designed to take Taekwondo directly to the schools and communities, particularly areas where sporting opportunities are limited.
“Our immediate target is to begin with at least five deprived regions — Northern Region, Upper West Region, Bono Region, Central Region and Ashanti Region — and identify young people with the potential to become future Taekwondo athletes,” he emphasised.
Mr Otu expressed gratitude to the Korean embassy for its continuous support for the championship which he said had given Ghanaian athletes the opportunity to compete, gain valuable experience, test themselves against quality opposition and develop the confidence necessary to progress to higher levels of competition.
At the end of the competition, the embassy presented a number of Taekwondo attires to the GTF to boost the sport’s promotion in Ghana.
By Andrew Nortey
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CAF 2nd Vice President and President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has visited the Black Princesses in Poland ahead of their opening game at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The GFA President, who watched the team’s training session, assured the players of the Association’s full support and backed them to make history by qualifying from the group stage for the first time.
“A few days ago, I was in a chat with the head coach and I promised that I was going to join him for what I think is the most important game for us, which is the first game,” President Simeon-Okraku told the team.
“For me, the first game is the most important, because if we start well, chances are that we will do well. History tells us that this team has always been here. We’ve always been at this tournament for seven consecutive times. My inner faith is telling me that we have enough quality here to qualify from this group.”
He praised the players for their sacrifice and patience throughout preparations, saying their investment would be repaid on the pitch.
“You have been patient and gone through the troubles and the hassles. And you are here today. I believe that these sacrifices you have made, these investments you have made, will be repaid,” he said.
The GFA President stressed that Ghana has the quality to overcome their group opponents.
“We are faced by three opponents — Ecuador, Korea Republic and France. These three nations, believe me, are no better than us. We have enough quality in this team to win games in this group and to make it to the second round of the competition.”
“This tournament is played every two years, so after 14 years, this is the 16th year now — this group must be the one that makes it out of the group to the knockout stage. And this must happen.”
“I think the team is ready. The technical team have done a good job. The players have conducted themselves well. We will continue to support you to ensure you get the best to be able to compete at this level.”
He also charged the final squad to make those who missed out proud.
“A few of you were here but didn’t make the squad and had to leave. This is that moment that you have to make them proud.”
President Simeon-Okraku was accompanied to the training ground by Chief of Staff at the GFA, Michael Osekre, and President of Dreams FC, Jiji Alifoe.
Ghana will open their campaign against Ecuador on September 6, 2026, before facing Korea Republic and France in their other group matches.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
