International friendly: Otto Addo expects tough clash with Uganda
THE Black stars head coach, Otto Addo, is bracing his team for a formidable challenge against Uganda when the two teams face-off in a friendly match in Marrakech, Morocco.
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Wary of any hint of complacency among his players, he asserts that tomorrow's encounter will demand their utmost focus and determination.
Reflecting on their recent 1-2 defeat to Nigeria at Grande de Stade Marrakech, where Ghana staged a late comeback with an injury time goal from Jordan Ayew, the coach stressed the importance of strategic planning to secure victory against Uganda.
The Black Stars played with 10-men following the expulsion of Jerome Opoku until Ayew's strike in added-on time gave them a consolation goal.
Coach Otto Addo acknowledges Uganda's strength, emphasising the need for a well-devised game plan to overcome their formidable opponents.
He underscores the quality of Uganda's players and the necessity for the Black Stars to approach the game with utmost seriousness.
“The boys played well, but if they think it will be an easy game against Uganda, then they are wrong. Uganda is very, very good. I watched them a little bit before now, I have to go deeper,” Coach Addo said after the loss against Nigeria.
“They [Uganda] have really good players, so we need to have a good plan if we want to win this game. I don’t see us as favourites; it will be an even game.
Selection
The Ghana coach will have a mix of both seasoned veterans and promising young stars available for selection against Uganda, with youngsters such as Forson Amankwaa and Jerome Opoku, both of whom featured against Nigeria, likely to make the first team tomorrow to give the coaching staff further opportunity to assess them.
“In our squad we have about eight players who are here for the first time. For me, the most important thing is to get options and to get solutions for the upcoming games so these friendly matches are very, very important for us to know how they play and how they can adapt and take it to the World Cup qualifiers in June,” he stressed.
Other players available for selection are Skipper Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Osman Bukari, Edmund Addo, Ebenezer Annan, Baba Iddrisu, Francis Abu, Tariq Lamptey and Lawrence Ati-Zigi.
Others are Kasim Nuhu, Antoine Semenyo, Abdul Samed Salis, Patrick Kpozo, Alidu Seidu, Joseph Wollacott, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Denis Odoi, Ernest Nuamah, Osman Ibrahim, Abdulai Nurudeen and Frederick Asare to ensure a formidable line up for the Uganda clash.
