“We Have to Improve”: Otto Addo Makes Admission After Ghana Dropped Points Against Chad
- Otto Addo has suggested his Black Stars side is ready to bounce back after their slip-up against Chad
- The 50-year-old coach, however, remains under fire from frustrated Ghanaian supporters who hold him responsible for the 1-1 draw
- Ghana must now find the resolve to overcome Mali, fresh off a commanding 3-0 triumph over Comoros
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Black Stars coach Otto Addo could not hide his frustration after Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Chad in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The result was a bitter pill for the four-time African champions, who had gone into the game as clear favourites against a side ranked 175th in the world.
Source: Twitter
Ghana held to frustrating draw by Chad
Jordan Ayew gave Ghana the perfect start with a composed finish in the first half, raising hopes of another comfortable victory.
The team created several chances to kill off the contest but wasted every one of them.
In the dying minutes, the punishment came. Celestine Ecua’s deflected strike nestled into the back of the net, sending the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Deby Itno into wild celebration and leaving Ghana stunned.
Watch Chad's equaliser:
The draw meant the Black Stars failed to extend their lead at the top of Group I, dropping crucial points that could have put them in firm control of the qualification race.
See the current standings of Group I:
Otto Addo makes honest admission
Speaking after the game, Addo admitted his side fell short despite enjoying large spells of possession and creating countless openings.
“I can’t say we played excellently or we played well because it was a draw. The result is everything; we had a lot of corners, we did nothing out of that,” he said, as quoted by Ghanasoccernet.
“We had a lot of shots, attempts on goal, we had a lot of ball possession, and normally we have to win this game. This, in the end, surely, is not good enough, and we have to improve, especially on our execution.”
Watch Otto Addo's post-match interview:
While Ghana dropped points, their next opponents, Mali, made a statement by thrashing Comoros 3-0, as cited by Sports World Ghana.
On the same day, Madagascar also boosted their hopes with a 2-0 win over the Central African Republic, leaving Group I wide open.
Ghana still sits top with 16 points, but Madagascar are just three behind, while Mali and Comoros trail with 12 each.
Source: Twitter
With three matches left, including two in Accra, Ghana’s qualification dream remains in their own hands.
The Black Stars will have little time to dwell on the setback as they welcome Mali to the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8.
Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 GMT, and victory will be crucial in restoring belief among supporters and keeping their World Cup hopes alive.
Otto Addo sheds light on Ghana’s draw with Chad
In a previous report, YEN.com.gh highlighted Black Stars coach Otto Addo’s explanation for the 1-1 stalemate against Chad.
The disappointing outcome has further piled pressure on the 50-year-old trainer, whose second tenure with the national team has produced only a 33.3% win rate so far.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
