Otto Addo has shed light on the complexities of managing a national team, emphasizing the difficulties of uniting players from diverse cultural backgr
Otto Addo has shed light on the complexities of managing a national team, emphasizing the difficulties of uniting players from diverse cultural backgrounds and varying philosophies.
In a recent interview with FIFA, Addo detailed the challenge of aligning players with different experiences and ideas within a short timeframe.
“It’s always difficult at the national level because the boys come from all parts of the world, with different cultures, philosophies, and ideas,” he said. “It’s very, very difficult to get that together in one week, to share the same ideas on how we should play.”
Despite these challenges, Addo noted the positive atmosphere within the squad.
He explained, “But I think we had a good atmosphere; the players tried to adapt and embraced my philosophy. Some already knew me, which made it easier.”
Addo also discussed his approach to recent crucial victories in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic, which have significantly boosted Ghana’s campaign.
Ghana secured a 2-1 win in Bamako and followed it up with a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Central African Republic in Kumasi, propelling them to the top of their group.
“We had some pre-talks with captain Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus. I flew to them to discuss certain aspects and what they should bring to the squad, and I think they did well in their roles,” Addo shared.
“I also spoke to many players on the phone about how things should be handled. I was really pleased with how well we prepared and performed in those games.”
Addo praised the squad’s resilience in tough matches, saying, “They were close and tough matches, but in the end, we succeeded.
It’s good for the players’ mentality to see that the discipline, work, and effort they put in during those weeks resulted in positive outcomes.”
Looking ahead, Addo’s team will resume action in early September with upcoming matches against Angola and Niger in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
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