2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Otto Addo Explains Why Ghana Drew With Chad
- Otto Addo has explained in details why the Black Stars of Ghana were held to a 1-1 draw with Chad
- The Black Stars coach currently holds a disappointing 33.3% win rate in his second spell as Black Stars head coach
- He still has a chance at redemption when Ghana faces Mali on Monday, September 8, in the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers
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Ghana head coach Otto Addo has shed light on why the Black Stars were held to a 1-1 draw by Chad in Thursday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The Black Stars had been on course to open a six-point lead at the top of Group I after Jordan Ayew’s first-half tap-in gave them the advantage.
Source: Getty Images
However, in the 89th minute, Chad’s Celestin Ecua surged forward and unleashed a powerful left-footed strike from the edge of the box, which deflected past goalkeeper Benjamin Asare to spark wild celebrations from the home crowd in N’Djamena.
After the game, Addo was critical of the pitch conditions at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno.
The late goal left fans furious, particularly over Otto Addo’s decision to keep Thomas Partey on the bench for the entire match.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, he said:
“The pitch was not watered, and we couldn’t play fast. It’s a disadvantage for us because, in Europe, most of the pitches are watered, so the ball moves quicker.
Here, the pitch was slow, and it made it very difficult for us to outplay their defensive line. To be fair, Chad didn’t allow us too many chances, but the three or four good opportunities we created should have been converted. We needed that second goal. In football, if you don’t take your chances, you only get punished once, and that’s what happened.”
Watch Otto Addo's presser below:
Ghanaian journalist Derrick Ayim has dismissed coach Otto Addo’s complaints about the pitch following Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Chad in the World Cup qualifiers.
Ayim argued that the Black Stars should not be using the condition of the field as an excuse, especially against a team like Chad.
“Blaming the pitch is just an excuse from Otto Addo,” Ayim told YEN.com.gh.
“Chad are supposed to be the whipping side of this group. Beating them should not be difficult for a team like Ghana.”
He further stressed that Ghana needed nothing less than a win in that game to show their strength and maintain control of the group.
“The Black Stars had to stamp their authority with three points,” Ayim added. “Settling for a draw against Chad is simply not good enough.”
Ghana arguably should have sealed the result earlier, with Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo and Tottenham’s Mohammed Kudus both missing clear chances, the BBC reports.
Despite the setback, the Black Stars remain in a strong position to qualify for back-to-back World Cup finals, holding a four-point lead at the top of Group I.
However, that cushion could narrow later on Thursday, with third-placed Madagascar hosting the Central African Republic (16:00 GMT) and second-placed Comoros taking on Mali away from home (19:00 GMT).
Only the group winners will book an automatic ticket to next year’s tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Source: Twitter
With two of their last three fixtures set to be played at home, starting with a crunch clash against Mali on Monday, September 8, their qualification hopes are far from over, per Africa Soccer.
Otto Addo raises serious concerns about Chad's pitch
In an earlier report, YEN.com.gh drew attention to Otto Addo’s serious concerns about the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Deby Itno ahead of Ghana’s World Cup qualifier against Chad.
The former trainer scout at Borussia Dortmund expressed shock that football authorities had approved the venue to host a game of such significance.
Source: YEN.com.gh
