Key challenges facing Otto Addo after March friendlies

There had been nine matches played between Ghana and Uganda since 1978 and interestingly never had any of those matches produced more than two goals, but Tuesday’s international friendly in Marrakesh, Morocco gave us more goals and in fairness, this is an Otto Addo team – we are used to this trend in matches.

Despite this, there are pressing decisions that Addo must address promptly to halt Ghana’s current slump.

Defensive Errors

Under Otto Addo, Ghana can be impressive in build-ups and attacks but can be exasperating in defence. Take, for example, conceding seven goals in three matches. That is what happened at the 2022 World Cup. Yes, the opponents were at times red-hot at the Mundial, but Ghana could have done better defensively. His absence did not solve the problem. The plight might have escalated under Chris Hughton, but Addo’s first two games in charge have been no different. Otto comes in but the team continues to concede goals. Two in each game so far and the concern among Ghanaians is that the signs are not positive.

Against Uganda, Ghana created enough decent chances to have recorded a better scoreline. The black Stars could not dominate the match just as we could not against Nigeria. The opponents were not as strong as in the previous match but we still struggled. Where does the rot stop?

Game by game, Otto will hope to fine-tune his tactics and team cohesion. But the friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda have proven his job is not cut out as simply as he thought it would be. The biggest indicators that any coach will do well, stems from major stats such as goals scored, goals conceded, style of play, and ultimately results. So far Otto has not got any of these going in his favour.

After losing to Nigeria, Otto made a few changes including Joojo Wollacot replacing Lawrence Ali Zigi in the post. But Jerome Opoku kept his place in the starting lineup despite being sent off in the previous outing. Opoku repaid Otto Addo’s faith with an early goal and Jordan Ayew added to that goal in the first half sandwiching Steven Mukuala’s effort from the penalty spot. But a scary defensive effort allowed Uganda an equalizer in the second half.

Bad Disciplinary Record

There are a few more drawbacks. Ghana’s disciplinary record has suddenly soared under Otto. In the first two games, three red cards have been recorded by the team. Jerome Opoku got sent off against Nigeria, while Mohamed Salisu and right-back Alidu Seidu also got sent off late in the match against Uganda for misbehaviour. That is not what you’d expect from a team this experienced at this level. A very chaotic end to the game and an issue Otto has to address before it escalates in competitive fixtures.

Inconsistent call-ups

The call-ups to this international window have been abysmal. Several players had to withdraw or be replaced after Otto Addo joined camp in Morocco. There were late call-ups who found space in the starting 11 and some enjoyed first minutes in the national team. This pointed to discomfort within the new technical setup about the initial list that was put out by the Ghana Football Association. To harness the best out of the regulars in the Black Stars, several of the call-ups need to be consistent and that starts from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and Cape Verde in June.

No all-conquering team in the history of football has thrived on inconsistent selections and if Otto Addo wants a good record under his sleeve beyond his tenure at the Black Stars, then he needs to own his teams and register familiar faces on the pitch and in the dugout.

Ghana continues to push for better results on the pitch since the brilliant performances about a decade ago. But Otto, who is the fifth coaching appointment since Kurt Okraku took over as FA President, has to solve several issues that circle the Black Stars. A fresh start is needed but it must be swift and decisive to get the Black Stars amongst the very best on the continent again.

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