Otto Addo to Restructure Black Stars Squad for Crucial 2025 AFCON Qualifiers
Ghana’s Black Stars head coach, Otto Addo, is planning key changes to the squad for the final two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola and Niger. The strategic shift will see some players based in prominent European leagues left out of the lineup, aiming to inject fresh energy and accountability into the team for these decisive matches.
While several players have demonstrated impressive performances with their European clubs, they’ve often struggled to replicate that form on the national stage. By selecting players more consistently suited to the team’s needs, Addo hopes to elevate the Black Stars' competitive edge in these high-stakes matches. The specific players to be left out have yet to be announced, but the move signals Addo’s commitment to refining the squad’s effectiveness.
The Black Stars will first face group leaders Angola at Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda on Friday, November 15, 2024. Following that, they’ll host Niger in Accra’s Sports Stadium on Monday, November 18, for the final qualifying match. Currently, Ghana sits in a precarious position—third in Group F with just two points from four games. They trail second-placed Sudan by five points and are ten points behind Angola, who remain at the top.
Ghana’s qualification prospects are now uncertain, and securing a spot in AFCON depends on several conditions. To qualify, the Black Stars must win both remaining matches and hope that Sudan loses both of theirs. A draw for Sudan in any remaining game would eliminate Ghana from qualifying, marking the team’s first absence from AFCON in two decades.
The upcoming matches are not only crucial for Ghana’s AFCON ambitions but also reflect a broader assessment of the national team’s alignment and cohesion. With Addo’s approach, the team is expected to sharpen its focus, making adaptability and team unity a priority in this do-or-die scenario.
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