Otto Addo to Restructure Black Stars Squad for Crucial 2025 AFCON Qualifiers
Ghanaβs 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, theyβve often struggled to replicate that form on the national stage. By selecting players more consistently suited to the teamβs 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 Addoβs commitment to refining the squadβs effectiveness.
The Black Stars will first face group leaders Angola at EstΓ‘dio 11 de Novembro in Luanda on Friday, November 15, 2024. Following that, theyβll host Niger in Accraβs Sports Stadium on Monday, November 18, for the final qualifying match. Currently, Ghana sits in a precarious positionβthird 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.
Ghanaβs 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 teamβs first absence from AFCON in two decades.
The upcoming matches are not only crucial for Ghanaβs AFCON ambitions but also reflect a broader assessment of the national teamβs alignment and cohesion. With Addoβs approach, the team is expected to sharpen its focus, making adaptability and team unity a priority in this do-or-die scenario.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0