After marking his 2nd World Cup qualification as our coach in perfect fashion by beating Comoros 1-0, Otto Addo was soon in the Accra Sports Stadium press conference room to field questions from the media. He was asked about his latest milestone, what pleased him most about the qualification, as well as issues on finding the right materials for the World Cup in the summer of 2026 and playing more matches to get better.
Here's every word Otto Addo said in the post-match press conference:
On Summary of the game
I think we had a good game. And now, we can maybe, for this little thing, we can use the word luck. The first three, four minutes, they had a good chance. But they didn't score. But in all, I think we controlled the game. They came like I expected and they're very, very dangerous. I think everybody saw that, especially when they have counterattacks, they're so really, really dangerous. But we managed the game well. We grew into the game. And the solid defence, but also good midfield. I think at one, we could have done a little bit more to create more chances. But like I said, it's not an easy team. It's a small country and I really have big respect for what they're doing, how they brought their football team together, how they are organised. Big respect also for the coach, really, really good coach. And, yeah, we did well. We controlled the game. We had a lot of ball possession. We created chances. We could have scored more, I think. But I'm very, very happy that we won, even though maybe it was not needed. I'm very happy that we closed these qualifiers with a win.
On difference qualifiers between disaster AFCON Qualifiers and success of the World Cup
To be honest, I mean, to say very, very simple, we scored more goals. Because I don't want to go through all the matches, but we had always a lot of chances. Not in all the games, but in most of the games, we were more matured. We were more clinical in our finishes. And still, even those games now, we could have scored even more. I think it's also the players and sometimes things take time, they’ve adapted. And there were, I think, less distractions also about discussions, about, I don't know, whatever was kept in, or numbers, where me, I don't care about these things, you know? But I know it's a big thing here. So, there are a lot of things, but I think we now fight together as a unit, there is unity in the team, this is also very, very important. And I think this helps us to structure, to build a team. If you have unity, everything else is easy. And like I said, from the first game, which helped us also, where we won 5-0, it gave us self-consciousness and belief. And from there, we went on to continue to win further.
On Comoros taking over in last 10 minutes after substitution
It's normal. So, they changed their formation to 4 at the back instead of 5, in fact, they changed it a little bit more offensive player inside. So, they were given a little bit more pressure on us to try to equalise. That's a normal thing. In every stadium you go, the last 10 minutes, they will take the risk to try and score. But also, they will take a risk to collect one. It happened against Mali, the last home game also. I think we had a lot of counter chances then. They tried to put more people up front. And then we have more space in the back. If you're good, use it. And clinically, you use it. But the most important thing is that we had a clean sheet. And so, I was satisfied.
On being the first coach to qualify Ghana for two World Cup tournaments
For me, personally, it's a big achievement. But to be honest, I think more about us. So, it's good for us, for everyone. Every Ghanaian, it's good for the players. Not only for me. So, this is the most important thing. It's not a bad time, but also not a good time. It's not about me. It's about us. And it's about the team. I'm happy for the players. And some players haven't been there. And it's a good opportunity. And so, I'm very, very happy for everyone.
On what to do to succeed at World Cup
We have to take it game by game, you know? People who are now talking about the World Cup, sorry, but we are nowhere close. The squad, I think, 2010 made the quarterfinals. And they had seven, eight players who were playing regular in the Champions League or top level. We are not there yet. No, I think that we have to put together good players, work hard so that they can get to this top level. But those days, we had players playing Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, Fenerbahce. You don't want me to share this class. As a regular player of Olympic Marseille, those days, they were like PSG. To play in this club as a regular player it's massive. And if you look at our players, please, with all the respect, but we are not there. We're not there. So, we need to take each game by game, and then we need to grow. And even last World Cup, we were very close. We had our chances to go to the next round. But this is also football. Sometimes, you know, you don't use your chances, then this happens. So, it's very, very important that we strengthen us. We use the training games to strengthen ourselves, and then we take each game by game to get better.
On Starting Alidu Seidu
No, it's just about fresh legs. So, I wanted them to take the runs outside. They had the game. They've been having a lot of games. And yeah, and also those who have been training good. So, it's not always about people who are coming out. It's more about those who are coming in. We're trying to build a team. For this also, everyone needs playing time, needs trust. And that's why I try to bring in players, also at the end, I could have brought on other players, but I try to bring players who have to play to give them also my appreciation for the work they have done behind the scenes. You know, pushing from the bench and doing good trainings, and still not playing I sometimes difficult for the players. So, I try to do my best to keep everyone happy. This is my biggest job. It's very simple.
On being worried about his job
No, I'm never worried.
On whether he will stay on after World Cup or leave like it happened in 2022
No, but it was a different situation. I had a contract at Dortmund, and I was released for the World Cup qualifiers and then also for the World Cup from Dortmund. And I had to respect my contract, and it was even a hard fight to get out earlier. But now I'm fully on a contract in Ghana.
On difficulty in making the final selection for the World Cup
You know, we have a lot of good players at the moment, especially up front. It's really, really difficult. And yeah, we have like, eight months to observe, to look, to make the right decisions. We have some friendly games where I hope that a lot of players can show themselves. But at the moment, we have good players around. Even some good players have still not been called yet so it will be interesting. And this is a difficult part for me. But I think this is the best situation for Ghana. Everybody's hungry to go to the World Cup. Everybody's playing out their best. And I hope that the boys keep scoring, keep defending well, and so that they make the decision difficult for me.
On impact of Winfred Schaefer
I think we always have good talks. He explained how he handled the situation with Eto'o and Cameroon, gave me stories and also advice. And it was not that we always agree, but these discussions are fruitful. He's a very good person. He was always pushing the team. And just like the others, he added something to our victory, you know, but it's everyone. It's not only him. It's also the physio, also our doctor, the medical department, the whole staff, the analysis team, assistant coaches, everybody really, really worked to the toe.
On whether there will new players at the World Cup
I don't know. So, I have to make that decision. In 2022 we had the chance to select 26 players, but we don't know whether there will be changes or not. And there's still time to decide it. It's going to be difficult. Like I said, there are a lot of players in a good mood. But I don't know what will happen. The tournament is too far away to say this will happen or that. You know, we have to watch the games, I will continue to observe the players as I always do for sure.
On lack of cohesion in certain moments of the game and need to improve
Yeah, I think it was a good analysis you just made. We have to do better at this. Yeah, we're working on that. But normally I just have two, three days of training and then it's also difficult because they come, all of the players come from different coaches, they have different ideas, and I want to implement my ideas. But in all I have to say, they really did well. They did well in adapting to how I want them to play. And if you see, in an overview, the goals we scored and how many we conceded, I think they did well and I really appreciate them for adapting so fast to the system we want them to play.
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