Otto Addo faced the press ahead of our 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mali on Monday. During his press conference at the Media Centre of the Accra Sports Stadium, Otto Addo gave an injury update on Derrick Kohn, Alexander Djiku and Thomas Partey, as well as assessing Monday's opponents.
Find out everything he had to say with our transcript below.
On team news after Chad
The whole team, everybody was very disappointed after the draw in Chad. The expectation was high for us to win, and we were disappointed. We analysed the game very well and hope that we learned out of this. I'm very, very sure we'll show another face here in front of the crowd. Yeah, surely it's easier to play at home with our spectators supporting us, pushing our last percentage out of the bodies of the players, but also to play in the evening on grass. I expect a different face of the players. I hope that we learned out of the mistakes we did against Chad. The good thing is, at the end, we still have it in our own hands. We have to keep the pace high. It will be very, very difficult against Mali, and they're in good shape. So, yeah, I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
On whether Derrick Kohn will play against Mali
So, yeah, we had a lot of difficulties in Chad. So, one was also Derek. We didn't get the FIFA approval. To that point, we were hoping that we got it, and up to now, we didn't get it. I'm hoping that it will come tomorrow morning. This is the status quo. And the rest, in general, we are always open for any kind of players who are from Ghanaian descent. I always say it's not about local players; it's not about players from outside, or who are born in the diaspora. It's about quality, and we are looking for all kinds of players. At the end, I have to choose. Like I said, there were a lot of difficulties, not only with Derek.
On not having Thomas and Djiku in the Chad game
Thomas Partey was sick, and Djiku had to go for a medical check in Moscow. So, we have other injuries, but it's not an excuse. We should have definitely, at least when we lead, won this game, and we have to do better, like I said.
On winning five, losing five and drawing five in 15 matches since second coming
So, these statistics are of no use, especially when there are friendly games in between, where we use all kinds of players to test. So, I don't think they are really usable in terms of, oh, this coach did that, and this coach did that. I'm not afraid of anything, just God. So, I'm very sure we'll show a different face, and we'll win. Let me go to the left side. Yes, Mohamed. My issue is with regards to Thomas and Brandon Asante, and I've seen a couple of top-notch performances that he's played for Coventry City.
On absence of Branson Thomas Asante
I don't think we can use this press conference regarding, players who are not here. I have big, big respect for Brandon but it's difficult. If you come with a player, somebody will come with another player there. We have, like, around 50 players at the moment who are in a closer circle, and Brandon is surely one of them. But, please, we can't speak about players who are not in the camp.
On Group I being open
The positive truth is that, nothing has changed. We were three points ahead of the second. This was the start of the score. I know Comoros is playing at the moment, so they are leading, so it's getting closer. For us, nothing has changed. We wanted to beat Chad, it didn’t happen but we are looking to do that against Mali tomorrow. The only positive thing is we still have it in our own hands. We still can decide our own destiny. We will put everything in this game tomorrow to win this game.
On conceding late in crucial matches
Like I said, the game against Chad is gone. There's nothing we can do about it. We have to learn as fast as possible. It's not always easy because if we see these late goals, there are always different people involved. Some of those players are not there. There were other people involved who were not there in the other games. I can't blame it on the team that played on Thursday, because it's not always the same players playing, but surely, we have to do better. Like I said, we don't have time. We have to learn quick, very, very quick. What I expect, at least, if we don't have a good day is to stop them from shooting at goals. We have to do everything we can. Even before the Chad game, my problem is, in general, no matter who I speak to, all Ghanaians, before we played against Chad, oh, don't worry. And the problem is, if this kind of mentality, we have a big problem. So, I urge people, we are not at the World Cup yet. We have to fight for this.
On fighting for points
We have to give our lives for this. We are not there yet. No way. And our opponents, they will do everything to stop us from going there. So, it's game by game, no matter who. No under ratings, nothing. Mali, I'm sure nobody will underrate them. Everybody knows they're good. So, I'm not worried. So, I know we will put everything in. But we have to be concentrated till the last minute.
On difficulties in Chad
I was a little bit restricted, to be honest. I know a lot of players were tired on the pitch. I was talking to Thomas at halftime during the match. Tell me, how do you feel? Come on. He said, I don't feel like I can bring intensity. He didn't train. He didn't eat. He had stomach problems, so I couldn't bring him. And Sulemana was injured, couldn't sprint. So, I was a little bit restricted. And just maybe to bring you also my tactical thoughts, I know that Caleb plays in midfield. I could have switched him into the midfield and Tariq Lamptey inside. But I was also worried, because I know the coach. Sometimes when he's behind, he will put the tall central defenders up front and play the high line, if there's extra time to play just the long balls. And Tariq doesn't have that height. So, I was a little bit worried and restricted what to do. And the game, the goal came, and the whole team is in it. Me, myself, as well. I'm the first to question myself, what could I have done? But I just want to bring it into my thoughts. It was a difficult, very difficult decision.
On beating Mali to cement a place on top of Group I
As long as we have it in our own hands, I'm very, very positive. And we have to still keep it in our own hands. And for this, we have to win tomorrow.
On whether Djiku will start given that he missed the game against Chad
I will never make statements about who will play or who will not. It's not against you, but I don't want Mali to know who will play. So, I will never make any statements about players who are playing and players who are not. It's always also good to surprise the opponent. So, that's why.
On leadership in the team
In general, we have different kinds of leaders. It's important that our captain, Jordan, is there and addresses the team on the pitch. He has the experience also. This is what I need also from him. So, we need leaders on the pitch who can also push the players on the field, in each and every action, especially when the last minutes arrive. So, it's always good to have a lot of leaders, like Jordan, like Thomas, like Djiku, on the pitch. I hope we have our last training, and I'll make the decisions, and we'll see who will play.
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