Ghana coach Otto Addo is hoping the new year will provide the Black Stars with a much-needed lift as they eye a spot at the 2026 World Cup.
2024 was a forgettable one for Ghana, who started the year off with an exit in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stages and ended the year with AFCON qualification failure, which ultimately lead to Ghana’s worst end of year FIFA ranking in the last decade.
However, in between the murky situations was an unusual ray of light in the World Cup qualifiers.
Ghana’s only wins all year were recorded in consecutive World Cup qualifying games against Mali and Central African Republic in June 2024.
The Black Stars are yet to feature in 2025, with their first game slated for Friday, March 21, in the same competition – World Cup qualifiers.
In both stints as head coach of the Black Stars, Otto Addo is yet to lose a World Cup qualifying game, winning two and drawing two.
Speaking to 3Sports, the head coach rued Ghana’s missed AFCON qualification opportunity but remained upbeat of the task ahead.
“Ghanaians always want us to win. Surely, it was a big disappointment. But like I said, for us, if I could turn things around, I’ll surely do that. But we have to look forward; we have to start fresh. It’s a new year, different competition.”
Ghana’s fifth World Cup dream is gathering steam, with the team level on points with Group leaders Comoros.
Talking up the chances of picking up a much needed win against Chad to further consolidate Ghana’s spot in the group, the 49-year-old added.
“We are in a very, very good position, and we have to really, really, come together as a team. We just had a few days of preparation. We have to surely look a little back on the mistakes we did and also concentrate on our strengths. We have big possibilities. And we have now big, big possible to take three points and we must do everything we can to ensure that.”
Ghana take on Chad on Friday, with Otto Addo aiming to lead the team to a second World Cup, following Qatar’s exploits.
