Ghana coach Otto Addo looks to new year for World Cup hopes

Ghana coach Otto Addo is optimistic that the new year will provide a much-needed boost for the Black Stars as they set their sights on securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup.

The year 2024 was a challenging one for Ghana, beginning with an early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stage and ending with a failed AFCON qualification campaign.

This disappointing result contributed to Ghana’s worst FIFA ranking at the end of the year in the last decade.

Despite these setbacks, there was a glimmer of hope in the World Cup qualifiers.

Ghana’s only victories of 2024 came in consecutive World Cup qualifying matches against Mali and the Central African Republic in June.

Ghana Unbeaten In World Cup Qualification Under Otto Addo

The Black Stars have yet to play in 2025, with their first match scheduled for Friday, March 21, in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers.

Under Otto Addo’s leadership, Ghana have remained unbeaten in World Cup qualification, with two wins and two draws.

The Black Stars are second in their qualifying group, level on nine points with group leaders Comoros

Coach Addo expressed regret over Ghana’s missed AFCON qualification opportunity but remained optimistic about the task ahead.

“Ghanaians always want us to win. Surely, it was a big disappointment,” coach Addo told 3Sports.

“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 hopes of qualifying for a fifth World Cup are gaining momentum, with the team now level on points with Group leaders Comoros.

Speaking about the importance of securing a crucial victory against Chad to strengthen Ghana’s position 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.”