Otto Addo’s stint as substantive Ghana coach got off to a false start as he failed to win in friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda.

A 2-1 defeat to Nigeria on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Stade de Marrakech stadium in Morocco was followed by a 2-2 draw with Uganda.

Friday’s loss to Nigeria, which saw the Super Eagles end an 18-year winless spell against the Black Stars, was followed by a 2-2 draw with Uganda.

Despite the disappointing results, there were signs of a departure from the team’s previous bad technical habits.

Standout players

Otto Addo handed call-ups to five new players, including Forson Amankwah. Without looking particularly extraordinary, he warmed hearts with his inventive and accurate passing. The timing of his passes and his positioning when not in possession were also refreshing to see. It was a throwback to the Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Anthony Annan era. And a refreshing break from the painfully bad options Ghana has had post-2017.

“It’s really, really impressive for a young guy to step up against a Nigerian team and be so self-conscious with the ball, good positioning, also working hard defensively is really, really good. I think we have someone we can look up to in the coming years,” said Addo on Amanakwah.

Jerome Opoku redeemed himself after his red card in the previous game against Nigeria, delivering a solid defensive display throughout the game against Uganda which gave Ghana a draw.

Otto Addo’s tactics

There were repeated attempts to build from the back and move the ball much faster than the ponderous manner the team is accustomed to.

The main problem with that, however, is that the team had not been trained to play that way for a long time. So the muscle memory simply did not exist.

Having the right profile of players for that kind of football was another matter. In the end, Nigeria’s coordinated pressing forced Otto’s men into mistakes.

Against Uganda, there was a bit more freedom to pass from the back and the Stars looked more comfortable in possession.

Still, Otto Addo demanded more from his team in his post-match conference.

"The football we played was not good enough. We should have created more chances, especially in the final third. Finishing must be better but I have to say this is what I expected. The last games before I came, generally, we were not good," he said.

Looking ahead, Addo aims to refine the team's performance as they prepare for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic. Key figures like Thomas Partey and Inaki Williams are expected to bolster the squad, offering Addo additional options to enhance the team's fortunes in pursuit of qualification.

The Black Stars sit third in their WC qualifying group with three points after recording a victory against Madagascar and suffering a defeat in the backyard of Comoros.