Ghana Football Association President Kurt Edwin-Simeon Okraku has hit back at the criticisms aimed at Black Stars Head Coach, Otto Addo in recent times with the global tournament imminent
The Former Black Stars player, now Gaffer for the national team has come under intense scrutiny from a section of Ghanaians for his part-time role at the national team and his club side, Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga.
Otto Addo’s recent performance in the September international friendlies against World No. 1 Brazil and 139th ranked Nicaragua generated lots of skepticism surrounding the Gaffer’s commitment and his tactical ingenuity to lead the four-time African Champions all the way in the Middle East come November 20th.
Speaking at the pre-world cup activity dubbed “Dinner with the Legends”, Kurt Okraku urged Ghanaians to have a positive mentality ahead of Qatar 2022 and further backed the 47-year-old.
“Let’s go back to our two battles against Nigeria. The country stood up in support of a common foe. We were victors”.
“Just look at where our Black Stars have come from. It got to a point; we didn’t have quality. Gradually over time, you see a good team shaping up.”
“It is that time that all of us must throw our weight behind the team. Who was the coach that qualified Ghana for the world cup recently? Is it not Otto? Was he a part-time or full-time coach? Let’s be positive.” He stated.
Otto Addo is expected to lead Ghana in her first Qatar 2022 match against Portugal on November 24, 2022 at the 947 Stadium in Doha, a repeat of the 2014 encounter in Brazil, where the team lost to Fernando Santos’s side.
The Black Stars missed out on the last edition in Russia 2018 and will be hoping to start on a good note this time around as they look to ride on the underdog tag in the tournament.
He is the first personality set to feature for Ghana as a player and a coach at the tournament.
Ghana will open camping in Abu Dhabi on November 10, with the final squad expected to submitted to FIFA on November 14, 2022.
Source: Classfmonline.com/sports Gabby Ofei
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