Otto Addo prepares Ghana for the clash with Nigeria
All over the world, preparations are in full swing for the important World Cup qualifiers. Ghana last participated in a World Cup finals in 2014 and are now nervous after their miserable performance at the Africa Cup. Former international Otto Addo will take over the team.
By the way: Here you can find further information to the World Cup 2022 qualifiers.
Ghana sacks coach Rajevac
The Black Stars have a lot at stake in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers! After their disappointing first-round exit from the Africa Cup of Nations, the Ghana Football Association has now pulled the emergency brake – and sacked coach Milovan Rajevac. For the important clash with Nigeria at the end of March, the Ghanaian Football Association is relying on former international Otto Addo instead! Addo, who was born and raised in Hamburg in Germany, is a true legend, especially in Germany. His goal in the 2005 UEFA Cup against Austria Wien with a torn cruciate ligament has long since become legendary.
After his active career, the former Hannover 96 and Borussia Dortmund player worked as a coach for several years. At Hamburger SV, FC Nordsjaelland and also Borussia Dortmund he worked as a youth and assistant coach. Especially in Dortmund, Addo was able to gain a lot of international experience and is very familiar how to prepare a team for such an all-or-nothing game.
Support from ex-Nottingham Forest coach Hughton
Serbian Milovan Rajevac only took over as Ghana’s national coach in September 2021 but has failed to impress with his work. Ghana’s performances at the Africa Cup were unacceptable. Not a single victory was achieved against opponents like Morocco, Gabon or Comoros.
Now Addo has to make sure that the country can qualify for a World Cup again. With Chris Hughton, another football expert will be at his side as a technical advisor. The Irishman has worked for clubs such as Norwich City, Birmingham City, Brighton & Hove and Nottingham Forrest for several years.
Ghana will play Nigeria on 23 March. Their opponents had recently announced as well that they will change coaches again for the qualifying tournament. (Read about it here). Former Sporting Lisbon and Barca striker Emmanuel Amuneke will take over the team on a transitional basis. Nigeria was also far from satisfied with their performance at the Africa Cup and was eliminated in the round of 16 by eventual finalists Egypt.
Against Nigeria on 23 March
Ghana has qualified for the World Cup three times so far. At the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Otto Addo was still a player himself. With him, Ghana made it straight to the last 16 on their World Cup debut. In 2010 they made it to the quarter-finals, but in 2014 in Brazil they were eliminated after the preliminary round.
Now Addo has to get the team around brothers Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace) and André Ayew (Al-Sadd), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Stade Rennes) or Mohammed Kudus (Ajax Amsterdam) up to speed against the favourites from Nigeria!
Borussia Dortmund has temporarily released Otto Addo. After the conclusion of the qualifying matches, Addo will initially return to his post as assistant coach to coach Marco Rose.
