Addo Calls for Strong Response After Austria Defeat

Otto Addo, head coach of the Ghana national football team, has described his side’s heavy defeat to Austria as a “big blow,” urging his players to improve their mentality and defensive discipline ahead of their next friendly against Germany.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Addo said the team had reviewed their performance, particularly the avoidable goals conceded. He noted that while the result appeared heavy, the game could have taken a different turn in the early stages if chances had been taken.

Despite this, he expressed disappointment in the team’s reaction after going behind, pointing to poor body language and a lack of belief. He stressed that even at 2-0, the team still had a chance to recover but failed to show the resilience needed.

Addo highlighted defensive transitions as a key area to improve, warning that Germany could exploit any lapses. He also defended his squad selection, insisting that players are chosen based on performance, not background, and cited consistent club form as the main criterion.

Addressing Ghana’s attacking struggles, including failing to register a shot on target against Austria, he attributed it partly to limited preparation time, noting he had only a few days to work with the squad.

He, however, remains confident that his attackers will rediscover their form, adding that many of them are performing well at club level.

Looking ahead, Addo maintained that he would remain tactically flexible against Germany and declined to reveal his starting line-up. Despite mounting pressure, he dismissed concerns about his job security, stating that his focus is solely on improving the team’s performance.

The upcoming match against Germany offers the Black Stars a chance to respond to criticism and show progress.